Annual Cereal Research Articles

EFFICIENCY OF VOLINIK SMART, WS HERBICIDE APPLIED DURING THE AFTER HARVEST PERIOD

The paper presents the results of the assessment of the efficiency of Volnik Smart, WS herbicide (glyphosate, 545 g/l), Frandesa Co., Ltd applied in the fields for different crops (spring cereals, potato, vegetables, industrial, oil and medicinal crops and others).
 Volnik Smart, WS herbicide applied in a dose of 1,3–1,8 l/ha was effective against annual cereal and dicotyledonous weeds; when applied in a dose of 2,2–2,6 l/ha it destroyed effectively perennial cereal and dicotyledonous weeds. When the herbicide was applied in a dose of 1,3–1,8 l/ha the number of weeds decreased from 85,6 to 95,7 % and their vegetative mass – from 77,8 to 95,8 % in a month after the treatment. When it was applied in a dose of 2,2–2,6 l/ha the number of weeds decreased from 94,0 to 99,3 % and their vegetative mass – from 88 to 100 %.

Review on Genetic Variability and Divergence in Bread Wheat Triticum aestivum L


 
 
 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second major food crop of the world in its importance next to rice. In Ethiopia the crop ranks third in terms of total production next to teff and maize. It is largely grown in the highlands of the country and constitutes roughly 20-30 % of the annual cereal production and plays an appreciable role of supplying the production with carbohydrates, proteins and minerals. Genetic diversity and variability are essential to meet the diversified goals of plant breeding such as breeding for increasing yield, wider adaptation, desirable quality, and pest and disease resistance. Genetic divergence analysis estimates the extent of diversity existed among selected genotypes. In common parlance, genetic variability and genetic diversity are considered synonym to each other which is erroneous. Genetic variability is the variation in alleles of genes or variation in DNA/RNA sequences in the gene pool of a species or population which expresses itself in terms of alternate forms in phenotype. Genetic diversity, on the other hand, is a broad term encompassing all the variability occurring among different genotypes with respect to total genetic make-up of genotypes related to single species or between species. Genetic similarity or dissimilarity can be compared by genetic distance between different individuals. Genetic distance can be used to measure the genetic divergence between different sub-species or different varieties of a species. Different characters of bread wheat show different contribution towards genetic variability and divergence. Estimate of heritability is very important to know the attribute to genetic variance not only in bread wheat but also in any crop plants.
 
 

Food value of some populations of Algerian annual alfalfa

Fodder grown in Algeria occupies 20% of the total UAA (agricultural area use) of the country. They are dominated by so-called "dry" fodder. The conversion of northern fallow land and steppe to self-regenerating legumes in an annual Cereal / Medicago rotation system may increase it. At the early flowering stage, the results indicate that the mineral content of the annual alfalfa is consistent; it varies from 9 to 14% of the DM (Dry matter). The species M. truncatula (Tr238) has the highest value (18%), which decreases the organic matter content. The nitrogen content is high with a maximum of 29% M ciliaris(S5) and a minimum of 20% M. intertexta (I107): the M. ciliaris species is the best provided in MAT (total nitrogenous matter) with an average of 27% against M. intertexta: 23 %. The highest NDF (neutral detergent fibre) content, 46% of the MS (dry matter) is recruited among M. intertexta (I253) quite logically, ADF (acid detergent fibre) and ADL (lignin) follow with 21 and 9% as respective maximas for all populations. However, on average, the ADL content is only 5% with a minimum of 2.6% for C2 M. ciliaris. It is interesting to note, the positive sign of the correlation between factors N. of Rods / m² and ADF: the amount of DM (thus indirectly lignin) increases in parallel with the age of the plant, as NDF and ADF. Considered first by test, the recorded digestibility values are equal to or greater than 70%: 75; 73; 74; 79 (respectively for tests 1 to 4) and on average, 75%. The average digestibility per species is 77; 73 and 75% for M ciliaris, M truncatula and M intertexta. Variations between populations and species are low: 3.4 and 3.1% respectively. The 20 or so populations of local annual alfalfa studied showed a great genetic variability of the studied parameters, which constitutes an important genetic capital in which the breeder could draw at leisure. Abbreviations: MAT, total nitrogenous matter ;ADF, acid detergent fibre; DM, dry matter; UAA, agricultural area use,; NDF, neutral detergent fibre ; N. of Rods / m² ,Number of Rods / m².

Fatty Acid Content and Composition of the Yakutian Horses and Their Main Food Source: Living in Extreme Winter Conditions.

For the first time, seasonal changes in the content of total lipids (TLs) and phospholipids (PLs) were studied in fodder plants growing in Central Yakutia—a perennial cereal, smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis L.), and an annual cereal, common oat (Avena sativa L.). Both species have concentrated TLs and PLs in autumn under cold hardening. In addition, a significant increase in the content of fatty acids (FAs) of B. inermis was observed during the autumn decrease in temperature. The Yakutian horses, which fed on cereals enriched with nutrients preserved by natural cold (green cryo-fodder), accumulated significant amounts of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, the total content of which in cereals was 75% of the total FA content. We found differences in the distribution of these two FAs in different tissues of the horses. Thus, liver was rich in 18:2n-6, while muscle and adipose tissues accumulated mainly 18:3n-3. Such a distribution may indicate different roles of these FAs in the metabolism of the horses. According to FA content, meat of the Yakutian horses is a valuable dietary product.

Perennial cereal rye performance and comparisons with winter annual cereal forages in the semiarid, subtropical southwestern United States

AbstractThe demand for forage for livestock production is increasing in semiarid regions. Winter annual cereal forages are commonly used to fill autumn through spring forage gaps where dry winters occur. Perennial cereal rye (Secale cereale L. × S. montanum Guss., P‐CR) shows promise for forage in other areas. Randomized complete block studies were conducted during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 autumn through spring growing seasons at two locations in the semiarid, subtropical US Southwest for a total of six site‐years (Los Lunas [two irrigation regimes] and Tucumcari, NM) to evaluate local adaptation and possible perennation of P‐CR as an alternative to winter annual cereal forages. Poor establishment of P‐CR occurred in the 2013–2014 season and prevented data collection; however, the P‐CR variety tested did not perennate in any of these site‐years in the southwestern United States. Generally, across site‐years, as annual cereal forages harvested at boot stage, P‐CR and triticale [× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale × Triticum)] had equal and greater dry matter yields than annual cereal rye (S. cereale, A‐CR) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., WW) (11.89, 7.43, 11.32, and 9.66 Mg ha−1 for P‐CR, A‐CR, triticale, and WW, respectively; P < 0.0001, SEM = 0.36). Additionally, across environments, fiber components (acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin) were generally higher, and crude protein and 48‐h neutral detergent fiber digestibility were generally lesser for P‐CR than for the annual species (110, 180, 144, and 133 g crude protein kg−1 for P‐CR, A‐CR, triticale, and WW, respectively; P < 0.0001, SEM = 6). Currently used annual species (cereal rye, triticale, or wheat) continue to be recommended.

Fall dry matter yield and nutritive value of winter rye, wheat, and triticale cultivars in Wisconsin

AbstractAlthough grazing vegetative winter annual cereals is common throughout the Southern Plains, it generally has not been considered in the northern United States. This research aimed to evaluate the fall forage yield and nutritive value of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale [× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale × Triticum)], cultivars in central Wisconsin. The trial was conducted over 3 yr in a randomized complete block design. Plots were established on 15 Aug. 2017, 13 Aug. 2018, and 1 Aug. 2019. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of three winter cereal species (rye, triticale and wheat) and four targeted fall harvest dates (15 October, 1 November, 15 November, and 1 December). Fall yields ranged from 1,819 to 1,994, 465 to 957, and 1,144 to 1,357 lb dry matter (DM) acre–1 across species during 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, but consistent advantages for any species were difficult to discern. There was little evidence that fall yields were improved by delaying the harvest date beyond 15 October. Although the nutritive value of winter cereals was excellent, variations in net energy of lactation (NEL) were positively correlated with water‐soluble carbohydrates for 2018 (r = 0.57) and 2019 (r = 0.46). Whole‐plant ash was negatively associated with NEL, yielding significant correlations for 2017 (r = –0.97), 2018 (r = –0.88), and 2019 (r = –0.66). Spring yields of cereal rye were reduced compared with other species in 2019 and 2020 but no differences were detected in 2018.

Assessing the potential for renewable energy powered desalination for the global irrigation sector

By 2050, it is estimated that the annual cereal production would need to increase by about 140% and total global food production increase by 70%. Meanwhile, total water withdrawals for irrigation are projected to increase by 11%. In contrast, poor management of existing water resources, pollution and climate change has resulted in limited freshwater resources. The aim of this paper is to assess how improved irrigation efficiency and renewable energy based desalination maybe used to secure future water supplies for the growth of rice, wheat and maize.The efficiencies of the existing irrigation sites were obtained and improved based on a logistic curve. The growth was projected such that by 2050, all existing irrigation sites would have an efficiency of 90%. The new irrigation efficiencies were used to obtain the reduced irrigation demand for the years 2030 and 2050. The desalination demand was estimated and an energy system model used to optimise the corresponding renewable energy based power system.It was found that improving the average irrigation efficiency to 60% by 2030, led to a 64% reduction in total desalination demand. Similarly, an improvement towards 90% irrigation efficiency, by 2050, translates to an 80% reduction in global desalination demand. In 2030, the total water cost is mostly within 0.7 €/m3–2 €/m3 including water transportation costs. Literature reports that farmers may be willing to pay up to 0.63 €/m3 for their irrigation water. The global range in 2050 is estimated to be 0.45 €/m3–1.7 €/m3 reflecting the lower system costs in 2050.The above results indicate that as conventional water prices increase, renewable energy based seawater reverse osmosis desalination, offers a cost effective water supply for the irrigation sector. Adoption of high efficiency irrigation systems alleviate water stress and can eliminate need for additional water supply.

Annual Cereal Cover Crops Following Winter Wheat Produce High Quality Fall Forage

Core Ideas Forage quality of fall‐grown annual cereal cover crops was high in southern Ontario, Canada.Oat produced more forage than barley when disease pressure was high.Oat–pea forage had higher crude protein with similar yield and nutrient digestibility versus oat.Fertilization (50–67 kg N ha−1) increased yield without affecting quality.Oat seeded at 80 and 120 kg ha−1 had similar forage yield and quality. Fall‐grown cereal cover crops can serve dual purpose as forage in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Four experimental field trials and four on‐farm validation trials were conducted to evaluate yield and quality of late‐summer sown and fall harvested barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and an oat–pea (Pisum sativum L.) mixture. Barley, oat, and the oat–pea mixture had similar yields where 50 to 67 kg N ha−1 was applied and when barley yields were not limited by Septoria (Septoria passerinii Sacc) leaf spot. Forage yields were increased at three of four experimental field trials by 0.3–0.7 Mg ha−1) when harvest was delayed from late October to mid‐November. Later harvest dates increased nonfiber carbohydrates (NFC) (51–99 g kg−1) and decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (16–54 g kg−1) and crude protein (CP) (19–47 g kg−1) with minimal effect on total digestible nutrients (TDN). Mid‐fall harvested oat forage with 50 to 67 kg N ha−1 produced an average yield of 2.9 Mg ha−1. Oat forage quality was consistently high. Individual trial oat averages for NDF did not exceed 509 g kg−1, in‐vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) was not less than 690 g kg−1, increased NFC was not less than 285 g kg−1 and TDN always exceeded 720 g kg−1. Addition of peas, increased CP by 28 g kg−1, with minimal impact on other nutritional quality characteristics. Oat or oat–pea mixtures, seeded as cover crops following winter cereal harvest are capable of producing satisfactory forage yields with excellent nutritional quality.

Comparing soil respiration and carbon pools of a maize-wheat rotation and switchgrass for predicting land-use change-driven SOC variations

The deployment of dedicated energy crops and the related land-use change are topical issues, particularly in relation to carbon storage and climate change mitigation effects. In order to maximize their mitigation potential and to fully supply new biorefineries, perennial energy crops may be established, not only on former idle and grazing lands, but also on the least remunerative cropland, as indirect land use change effects are still very uncertain. Possibly becoming a future land-use change option, the carbon flows of the most common crop rotation in Europe (maize-wheat) and the perennial grass switchgrass were measured, and later included in a biogeochemical model to build possible scenarios. Yearly mean soil respiration did not statistically differ between switchgrass and the annual cereals (2.9 and 2.5 Mg CO2 ha−1 month−1, respectively), but in switchgrass the peak flux was reached during crop growth (6.1 Mg CO2 ha−1 month−1), while in the cereal system it occurred in bare soil (after harvest and soil tillage) (4.5 Mg CO2 ha−1 month−1). Harvest residues contributing to soil organic matter were highest in maize (12.4 Mg ha−1 y−1) and decreased in switchgrass (−79%) and wheat (−87%). Root biomass was much higher in switchgrass (10.0 Mg ha−1 y−1) than maize (−81%) or wheat (−94%). Model projections showed how continuous switchgrass cycles of 15 years following annual crops cultivation were capable to keep building up SOC inventories (0.24 or 0.32 Mg ha−1 y−1) up to the year 2100. On the opposite, maintaining the land under maize-wheat cultivation, depending on maize stover management, would either produce a SOC loss (−3.6 Mg ha−1) or could help the soil increasing SOC (+9.4 Mg ha−1) towards a new equilibrium after two decades.

Phenotypic diversity and heritability in Eragrostis tef under irrigated Mediterranean conditions

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a C4 annual cereal, common in Ethiopia, where it was presumably domesticated. Worldwide interest in tef cultivation and consumption has considerably increased in the last few decades because it is a gluten-free grain with high nutritional value. Here we report on the genetic diversity and heritability in a tef germplasm collection characterized in Israel. A total of 408 accessions of tef held in the Israel Gene Bank were grown in 2015 under common garden (screen-house) conditions for propagation and initial phenotyping. A diversity panel, consisting of 273 accessions representing the entire collection's range of phenotypic diversity, was assembled and evaluated in small field plots in 2016. Further evaluation was conducted in 2017, in single-plant field plots (to eliminate admixtures). A representative plant (plot) was selected from each accession grown in 2017 and its single seed descent progenies where grown in 2018 in single-plant plots. The collection exhibited a wide diversity for each of the measured phenotypic traits, across all four environments. High grain yield was associated in most cases with early flowering time, whereas higher biomass was associated with late flowering. Heritability estimates, calculated based on the 2017, 2018 data, varied between 0.11 for plant biomass and 0.75 for 1000 grain weight. This study shows that tef can successfully grow and produce under irrigated Mediterranean conditions. The wide diversity available in our germplasm collection can provide the foundations for breeding new tef cultivars that are better adapted to these conditions.

Turnover of Minerals and Organics in the Postharvest Herbage of Annuals and Perennials: Winter Wheat and Goldenrod

Crossing annual cereals, legumes, and oilseeds with wild rhizomatous relatives is used to create perennial lines that fruit over 2–3 seasons. Contrary to annual crops, the year-round vegetation cover should contribute to carbon sequestration, soil formation, and root mineral preservation. Soil erosion, nutrient leaching, and labor expenses may be reduced. While deep-rooted grasses actually inhibit nitrate leaching, advantages in nutrient storage and soil formation are not yet shown. Therefore, the turnover of organics and minerals in the perennial goldenrod was compared with that of winter wheat between blooming and resprouting (28 February) by gravimetry and ICP-MS. From blooming (23 August) to harvest (13 November), goldenrod stalks of 10,070 (given in kg ha−1) lost 23% by dry weight (DW) and released 14.9/9.6/65.7 in NPK and 2193 in water-soluble organics via leaching and root exudation. Apart from a transient rise of 28.8 in N around 13 November, the stubble/rhizome system held CaKMg(N)P stable at a level avoiding metal stress from 23 August to 28 February. Filling seeds in wheat excluded net losses of minerals and organics from anthesis to harvest (23 July). Stubbles (16 cm) and spilt grains of 2890 represented 41.8/2.91/62.5 in NPK and lost 905 in biomass with 25.4/1.8/59.8 in NPK to the soil by 28 February. In wheat-maize rotations, ploughing was avoided until early March. Weeds and seedlings emerged from spilt grains replaced losses in stubble biomass, N, and P but left 40.5 in K unused to the soil. In wheat-wheat rotations, organics and minerals lost by the down-ploughed biomass were replenished by the next-rotation seedlings that left only 18.3 in K to the soil. In summary, off-season goldenrod rhizomes did not store excess minerals. The rate of mineral preservation corresponded with the quantity of the biomass irrespective of its perennial habit. Released water-soluble organics should foster microbial carbon formation and CO2 efflux while soil improving gains in humate C should depend on the lignin content of the decaying annual or perennial biomass. Clues for NPK savings by perennials were not found.

Teff, A Rising Global Crop: Current Status of Teff Production and Value Chain

Introduction: The global dominance of the three crops, maize, wheat, and rice in the current food system has raised an alarm. Heavy dependence on these crops can limit our capacity to deal with food shortage and dietary imbalance. Explanation: Teff (Eragrostis tef), a warm-season annual cereal, is one of the underutilized crops that can contribute to food security and crop diversification. Teff contains high and unique nutritional values, which will meet the need of health-conscious consumers. It is also a low risk crop, which resists many biotic and abiotic stresses. Currently, Ethiopia is the largest teff producing country, and the only country to have adopted teff as a staple crop. However, the teff production and value chain in Ethiopia largely rely on traditional practices, and the teff market is limited by the government’s export ban. Instead, other countries such as USA are increasingly participating in the teff market. Conclusion: This study investigates the current status of teff production and value chain mainly in Ethiopia. The results suggest what areas Ethiopia should improve to take the lead in the rising teff market, and in what way others may participate.

Cereal yield gaps across Europe

Abstract Europe accounts for around 20% of the global cereal production and is a net exporter of ca. 15% of that production. Increasing global demand for cereals justifies questions as to where and by how much Europe’s production can be increased to meet future global market demands, and how much additional nitrogen (N) crops would require. The latter is important as environmental concern and legislation are equally important as production aims in Europe. Here, we used a country-by-country, bottom-up approach to establish statistical estimates of actual grain yield, and compare these to modelled estimates of potential yields for either irrigated or rainfed conditions. In this way, we identified the yield gaps and the opportunities for increased cereal production for wheat, barley and maize, which represent 90% of the cereals grown in Europe. The combined mean annual yield gap of wheat, barley, maize was 239 Mt, or 42% of the yield potential. The national yield gaps ranged between 10 and 70%, with small gaps in many north-western European countries, and large gaps in eastern and south-western Europe. Yield gaps for rainfed and irrigated maize were consistently lower than those of wheat and barley. If the yield gaps of maize, wheat and barley would be reduced from 42% to 20% of potential yields, this would increase annual cereal production by 128 Mt (39%). Potential for higher cereal production exists predominantly in Eastern Europe, and half of Europe’s potential increase is located in Ukraine, Romania and Poland. Unlocking the identified potential for production growth requires a substantial increase of the crop N uptake of 4.8 Mt. Across Europe, the average N uptake gaps, to achieve 80% of the yield potential, were 87, 77 and 43 kg N ha−1 for wheat, barley and maize, respectively. Emphasis on increasing the N use efficiency is necessary to minimize the need for additional N inputs. Whether yield gap reduction is desirable and feasible is a matter of balancing Europe’s role in global food security, farm economic objectives and environmental targets.

THE EFFECT OF SOIL HERBICIDES ON NODULE-FORMING ABILITY AND OTHER CONDITIONS FOR SOYBEAN YIELD

The effect of soil herbicides on nodule-forming ability and other conditions for soybean yield isgiven. It has been established that modern soil herbicides, especially Fabian and Prymekstra TZ 500Gold SC were inferior than herbicide Harnes by the efficiency of control of annual cereals and bilobatedshort-living weeds soybean crops. Harnes had a greater negative effect on the formation of the amountand weight of nitrogen-fixing nodules on soybean root than other herbicides. At the same time, the use ofHarnes produced the highest yield of soybeans. Morphological signs of plants and signs of soybeanproductivity depended on the effectiveness of soil herbicides and tolerance of culture to them. There wasno significant effect of soil herbicides on the quality of the cultivated soybean seeds.

ASSESSMENT OF BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE OF CHLOROQUINOLINE DERIVATIVE

Introduction. The antidote of chloroquinoline derivative contains in the stuff of selective, post-emergence herbicide of systemic action against a broad spectrum of annual cereals weeds for one-time ground handings of spring and winter weed crops. Cultural cereals are protected by the presence of the antidote chlorhinoline derivative in the preparation. The aim of the study. To investigate the exploring chronic influence of the antidote chloroquinoline derivative in its multiple entering warm-blooded organisms (male rats) for finding out the kind of the biological influence, active and non-active doses, were conducted. Material and methods. White rats were used in the acute experiments (6 animals per group). Doses of 1000-7000 mg/kg were tested. The chronic experiment was executed on 80 rats. Doses of 0.4; 4.0 and 40 mg/kg were tested. The estimation of the animals behavior, food, and water consumption, terms of animals death was fixed, alterations in body weight, physiological, biochemical and hematological indices were registered in the experiment were conducted. Results. The evaluation of general behavior of animals received antidote in dose of 40.0 mg/kg gave such a result as the deviation in such indices as behavior responses and SPP, analysis of hematological and biochemical tests showed the alteration in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism; aminoalkyl metabolism; anaerobic glycolic to take place in animals’organisms. Conclusion. Indices of the acute peroral toxicity of antidote LD50 in male rats, peroral: 4349 ± 840 mg/kg b.w. hazard class - 4 according to hygienic pesticide classification on hazard class (SanPin 1.2.2584-10) were established. 2. Active 40,0 mg/kg and non-active (NOELch) 4,0 mg/kg the dose was established. 3. The admissible day dose (ADD) for a human of 0.04 mg/kg b.w. was justified.

The role of 15N-depleted fertilizers as tracers in N cycling studies in agroecosystems

A search of the literature (principally Google Scholar, using the keywords given below) revealed that 120 research papers have been published where 15N-depleted (14N-enriched) fertilizers, including ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, urea and ammonia forms were used as tracers. The studies included annual cereals, vegetables, a grain legume and a fibre crop, and perennial crops including grasses, shrubs (berries), trees (fruits and nuts) and N2-fixing forage, grain and woody legumes and an actinorhizal species. Other minor examples include perennial ornamentals and trees harvested for wood. Applications included estimation of fertilizer recovery in crops, in post-harvest soil and estimation of N losses in the soil–plant system by mass balance. The residual value of 15N-depleted fertilizers and the recovery of 15N-depleted legume residues have also been reported. 15N depleted fertilizers have played an important role in differentiating the relative uptake of fertilizer N to N mobilized in storage tissues with respect to the N nutrition of deciduous horticultural trees, shrubs and vines in spring. The symbiotic dependence of N2-fixing species and transfer to companion non-legumes has been indirectly determined using 15N-depleted fertilizers. Thus 15N-depleted fertilizers have shared the same applications as their 15N-enriched counterparts. Because of their relative cheapness compared with 15N-enriched fertilizers, larger and more representative unconfined plots can be employed in field studies.

Продуктивність буркуну білого в одновидових та сумісних посівах зі злаковими культурами в залежності від мінерального живлення та норм висіву на чорноземах типових в умовах Правобережного Лісостепу України

Three-year results of research the cultivation of white sweet clover in compatible crops with annual cereal forage crops in the Right-bank forest steppe. It was determined the impact of seeding rate of white sweet clover and fertilization on species composition, for the best cereal components to create the mixed high performance. Research was conducted during the years 2015-2017 in the research laboratory of Feed processing, reclamation and meteorology at the separate unit of National University of life and environmental sciences of Ukraine Agronomic Research Station. Conducted studies was found that the yield of sowings white sweet clover in single-crop and compatible sowings with annual cereals depended from seeding rate of culture, mineral nutrition and type of mixture. On average, over the years of research, increment to yield, depending on the component of grass mixtures, was observed on variants of a compatible sowing with sudanese grass and sorghum, with its variation from 0,2 to 4,2 t/ha in comparison with white sweet clover in a single-crop. The most impressive it was in the variant of a compatible crops with the sudanese grass. This indicates that culture has proven to be significantly more competitive in grass mixtures than in other variants. The yields of compatible sowing with corn were lower by 0,2-2,3 t/ha, indicating the presence of less favorable conditions for growth and development of the mentioned culture in the grass mixtures and the certain suppression of white sweet clover. The yields on variant with millet proved to be the lowest – 2,6 - 5,9 t/ha. The investigated culture was marked by slow growth at the beginning of the vegetation. Subsequently, this caused some oppression of the legume component and than a decline of productivity of the compatible sowing. The highest yields of forage crops in pure and compatible crops were obtained when applying the maximum fertilizer N 60 P 9 0 K 9 0. Growth of the crop, in comparison with the control in a single-crop of the white sweet clover currant fluctuated within the range of 5,6 – 9,4 t/ha, and on variants of compatible sowing with corn – 4,4 – 7,8, millet – 3,6 - 8,4, sudan grass – 5,5 – 10,3 and sorghum – 4,8 – 9,1 t/ha. Such a pattern indicates a positive role as nitrogen fertilizers, especially for the cereal component, and phosphorus-potassium, to a large extent for the legume grass. An increase in the norm of seeding of white sweet clover currant caused a certain decrease in the productivity of both pure and compatible crops. In the norm of 18 kg/ha the drop was 1,8 - 3 t/ha, 20 kg/ha – 3,5 – 6,3 t/ha. The least productive were the phytocoenosis for the norm of seeding of white sweet clover 22 kg/ha (by 5,6 - 8,4 t/ha), indicating a negative reaction of both legume and cereal components on the densely placement of plants per unit area and reducing their viability. In general, over the years of research, the largest yield was observed on the variant of a compatible sowing with sudanese grass with the norm of seeding of white sweet clover currant 16 kg/ha, fertilizer at the level N 60 P 9 0 K 9 0 , with an index of 51,5 t/ha. However, the yield of fertilizer N 60 P 60 K 60 was 49,5 t/ha, which is less by 2 t/ha, and therefore is within the limits of error. Accordingly, the N 60 P 60 K 60 variant is the most productive. The variant with sorghum with the same norm of seeding and fertilization rates was lower by 3,9 t/ha. The highest yields of the compatible crops varieties with maize and millet were almost unchanged from each other and amounted to 44,8 and 43,5 t/ha, with seeding rate of white sweet clover 16 kg/ha in combination with fertilizer N 60 P 90 K 90 . In a single-crop of white sweet clover with norm of seeding 16 kg/ha and fertilizer N 60 P 90 K 90 the yield was 47,3 t/ha.

Perennial Grain Legume Domestication Phase I: Criteria for Candidate Species Selection

Annual cereal and legume grain production is dependent on inorganic nitrogen (N) and other fertilizers inputs to resupply nutrients lost as harvested grain, via soil erosion/runoff, and by other natural or anthropogenic causes. Temperate-adapted perennial grain legumes, though currently non-existent, might be uniquely situated as crop plants able to provide relief from reliance on synthetic nitrogen while supplying stable yields of highly nutritious seeds in low-input agricultural ecosystems. As such, perennial grain legume breeding and domestication programs are being initiated at The Land Institute (Salina, KS, USA) and elsewhere. This review aims to facilitate the development of those programs by providing criteria for evaluating potential species and in choosing candidates most likely to be domesticated and adopted as herbaceous, perennial, temperate-adapted grain legumes. We outline specific morphological and ecophysiological traits that may influence each candidate’s agronomic potential, the quality of its seeds and the ecosystem services it can provide. Finally, we suggest that perennial grain legume breeders and domesticators should consider how a candidate’s reproductive biology, genome structure and availability of genetic resources will determine its ease of breeding and its domestication timeline.

Yield and Uptake of Phosphorus by Wheat and Canola Grown after Two Years of Forage Legume and Annual Crops

Annual legumes have been shown to enhance the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by following rotational crops. However, there is lack of information on the effect of perennial forage legumes included in rotation for a short duration on yield and P uptake of crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) grown after the forage legume. A field study was conducted in four soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada to assess: 1) the effect of two years of forage legume versus annual cereal, oilseed and grain legume on yield and P uptake of wheat and canola grown in the two subsequent years and 2) the effect of the complete four-year rotation on soil P dynamics and P balance. Four different crop sequences (alfalfa-alfalfa, red clover-red clover, barley-pea and barley-flax) employed over the first two years of crop rotation were compared as treatments followed by wheat and canola. Wheat grain yield was improved 32% - 60% by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) rotations at three of the four sites (P = 0.008, P = 0.001, P - 43% by red clover and alfalfa rotation at two sites (P = 0.013, P = 0.033). In the following year, positive yield benefits (55% - 64%) of having two years of alfalfa and red clover were observed at three sites. Four years of continuous cropping with a limited addition of fertilizer P resulted in a negative soil P balance and significant depletion of soil P fertility at all locations.

Managing water to enhance global cereal yields

D ata show a strong world dependence on cereals for food (table 1). To meet the needs of a population reaching 9.8 billion by 2050, annual cereal production would need to increase by almost 1 × 109 Mg (1.1 × 109 tn) and meat production by over 2 × 108 Mg (2.2 × 108 tn) (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012). Rask and Rask (2011) stated that the dynamics of economic development in developing countries, particularly China and India, is perhaps the dominant factor affecting world food needs in the immediate future. They estimated that “a stable per capita diet at high income levels requires five to seven times more agricultural resources to produce than does a predominantly crop-based diet at low income levels” (Rask and Rask 2011.) Lal (2016a) suggested that the cereal grains needed to feed the 11 billion people projected for 2100 could be produced on 5 × 108 ha (1.2 × 109 ac). He concluded that “rather than expanding the area under cropland, agriculturally marginal and degraded soils can be set aside for nature conservancy.” He stated that to achieve this goal, the global average cereal yield of 3.27 Mg ha−1 (1.46 tn ac−1) in 2005 can be increased…