Half Of Applications Research Articles

Fertilization management strategies for ‘Agata’ potato production

ABSTRACT Fluctuations in potato prices and invariably rising production costs need sustainable fertilization strategies. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted in the southwestern region of São Paulo state to evaluate fertilization management strategies for the ‘Agata’ potato cultivar. The treatments consisted of the producer’s standard fertilization (1700 kg ha-1 NPK 4-30-10 at planting + 100 kg ha-1 urea and 150 kg ha-1 KCl at hilling) and combinations of two P rates at planting (standard rate and half of the rate), as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) with two forms of KCl application (total rate in the post-planting phase or half of the rate in the post-planting phase and half at hilling). The application of half the P rate (255 kg ha-1 P2O5) as the MAP at planting and the transfer of K from planting to applications in the post-planting phase or in the post-planting phase and at hilling, despite having provided a lower leaf P concentration, maintained the total tuber yield with higher operational yield of planting fertilization. It also increased the yield of tubers with a diameter >4.5 cm under conditions of lower water availability in the vegetative stages of the crop and soil with medium availability of P and K. Such a fertilization strategy is valuable for cost reductions and possible environmental liabilities.

Effect of different nitrogen level on the growth and yield of different varieties of hybrid maize

When grown under optimum management practises, maize hybrids yield could be low.The high yield potential of hybrid Maize is unlocked using advanced variants and optimum nitrogen fertiliser application practises. In order to assess the effect of varieties and nitrogen fertiliser rates on yield and yield compounds of maize, an experiment on the farm fields was conducted.in two cropping seasons. It is laid out with randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. Five maize varieties (BH-540, BH-543, BH-661, BH-660, and BH-140) as main factor and two levels of nitrogen (55 and 110 Kg N ha−1) as sub factor were used with one maize variety (BH-543) without fertilizer as control. The application of nitrogen fertiliser rates affected considerably the area of the leaf and maize varieties leaf surface index. All maize yield and yield components were significantly impacted with the interaction of maize varieties with nitrogen fertiliser rates. Using half and full nitrogen fertilisers, the average grain yield benefits over management were 31 percent and 41 percent. Therefore, application of half and full recommended nitrogen fertilizer for improved maize varieties has significantly improved grain yield and recommended for Hybrid maize production.

Avant-Garde Orientalism: The Eastern "Other" in Twentieth-Century Travel Narrative and Poetry by David Lehardy Sweet

Reviewed by: Avant-Garde Orientalism: The Eastern "Other" in Twentieth-Century Travel Narrative and Poetry by David Lehardy Sweet Tom Conner Sweet, David Lehardy. Avant-Garde Orientalism: The Eastern "Other" in Twentieth-Century Travel Narrative and Poetry. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. ISBN 978-3-319-50373-8. Pp. 318. This well-argued, persuasive, and densely-written study explores the work of a dozen or so Western Avant-Garde writers, many of them French or Francophone—among them André Gide, André Breton, and Marguerite Duras—who from the late nineteenth through the twentieth centuries visited and then wrote about the "Orient," an elastic term that includes the Near East (North Africa and the Middle East) and East Asia (India, China, Japan, Indochina). Sweet's book is half theory and half application. It draws on Avant-Garde, postcolonial, and travel literature theories but also engages in close readings of travel writing to formulate a novel theory, Avant-Garde Orientalism, which—though exoticist and colonialist in origin—effectively demonstrates how a Westerner can fruitfully engage with the Orient but avoid the pitfalls of academic Orientalism by considering the aesthetics of diversity with an attitude of provocation and reciprocity. At first sight, nothing could appear more different than Orientalism and the Avant-Garde, the former romantic and escapist—"n'importe où hors du monde" (Baudelaire)—the latter invariably modernist and experimental. Orientalism draws on cultural stereotypes and prejudices linked to colonialism and imperialism, which Edward Said exposed in Orientalism (1978), laying the foundations of a critical, so-called postcolonial discourse. Sweet's book is neither a traditional reading of Orientalism nor an attack on postmodernism but rather an attempt to bring out the inherently contradictory character of Orientalism. There is a host of Avant-Garde Western writers "whose ideas about the Orient don't conform to the postcolonial picture of orientalism as the servant of colonialism or as the cultural judge of the East" (2). For example, Gide's North African oeuvre is a celebration of his own ambivalent and exploitative sexuality but in later works, such as Voyage au Congo, Gide denounces colonialism. The same critical ambivalence characterizes Duras. André Michaux's A Barbarian in China and Roland Barthes's Empire of the Signs also suggest the possible superiority of Asian culture and underscore how a text can be Avant-Garde, orientalist and post-colonial all at once. There is no shortage of progressive Avant-Garde authors. Breton denounces colonialism; Jean Genet denounces the French war in Algeria and supports the Palestinians and the Black Panthers. In the final analysis, Avant-Garde Orientalism actually is post-modern [End Page 221] insofar as it critiques colonialism as well as the hegemony of the West and the "global monoculture" modernism heralds, which modernism rather endorses or at least accepts as a necessary evil in order for the Orient to modernize and catch up with the West (3). To these Avant-Garde orientalists, the Orient held out the promise of being the last bastion of diversity, uniqueness, and non-conformism. Sweet avoids the pitfall of generalization and is careful to analyze what sets his many authors apart thanks to his method of "simultaneous cultural contrasts" (Robert Delaunay), which makes it possible to expose starkly different and oftentimes contradictory portraits of the Orient, including several transnational English-language authors of the new millennium. Tom Conner St. Norbert College (WI) Copyright © 2019 American Association of Teachers of French

A educação ambiental como instrumento de conscientização e sensibilização no uso adequado dos agrotóxicos

O uso consciente dos agrotóxicos é de extrema importância para melhor rendimento da produção agrícola e preservação dos recursos renováveis, do meio ambiente e saúde humana. É importante que a sociedade, e principalmente os produtores, tomem os devidos cuidados durante a utilização dos agrotóxicos, para que não haja contaminação dos alimentos, do ambiente, dos agricultores e consumidores. Conhecer a percepção do risco, por parte da população exposta é importante para desenvolver propostas de intervenção sobre o problema junto à comunidade, através de ações de conscientização sobre os riscos associados ao uso indiscriminado destes produtos, ou seja, ao uso incorreto e durante longo prazo. O trabalho teve como objetivo, identificar e analisar o nível de conhecimento da comunidade rural do distrito Santa Maria, na cidade de Areia - PB, a respeito do uso indiscriminado dos agrotóxicos e realizar intervenções, através da Educação Ambiental, que permitissem o uso correto dessas substâncias pela comunidade. O trabalho foi realizado em duas etapas, com agricultores do Distrito Santa Maria. A primeira etapa ocorreu com aplicação de questionários semiestruturados e posteriormente, com base nas respostas dos questionários, foram realizadas intervenções através de oficinas e debates junto à comunidade. A maioria dos entrevistados (96%) é analfabeta ou possui apenas o ensino fundamental incompleto, acentuando a dificuldade na leitura e compreensão das instruções das embalagens. Os agrotóxicos utilizados pelos agricultores são do tipo herbicida, principalmente glifosato. Estes produtos são adquiridos em vendas não autorizadas, sem a apresentação do receituário agronômico. O descarte das embalagens é feito de maneira incorreta, sem a devolução as centrais de recolhimento. 37,7% dos entrevistados afirmaram não utilizar os equipamentos de proteção individual. Os que utilizam (62,3%) afirmaram não fazer de forma correta. Apenas 19% disseram ler os rótulos das embalagens, porém, nem todos compreendem o que é lido, devido seu teor técnico. As intervenções realizadas com os agricultores colaboraram para o repasse de informações, além de compartilhar experiências e exemplos que pudessem ser utilizadas como ferramenta de sensibilização sobre uso adequado dos agrotóxicos. A Educação ambiental foi um mecanismo importante na realização deste trabalho, trazendo luz as questões não apenas ambientais como também políticas e sociais.

Effects of Varieties and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield and Yield Components of Maize on Farmers Field in Mid Altitude Areas of Western Ethiopia

Yield of maize hybrids could be low when grown below optimum management practices. Use of improved varieties and optimum nitrogen fertilizer application practices are unlocking the high yielding potential of hybrids maize. With these in view, a field experiment was executed on farmers’ field to determine the effect of varieties and nitrogen fertilizer rate on yield and yield components of maize in two cropping seasons. It is laid out with randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. Five maize varieties (BH-540, BH-543, BH-661, BH-660, and BH-140) as main factor and two levels of nitrogen (55 and 110 Kg N ha−1) as subfactor were used with one maize variety (BH-543) without fertilizer as control. Leaf area and leaf area index of maize varieties were significantly affected by application of nitrogen fertilizer rates. Interaction of maize varieties with nitrogen fertilizer rates significantly affected all yield and yield components of maize. Application of half and full recommended nitrogen fertilizer produced mean grain yield advantages of 31 and 41% over control. Therefore, application of half and full recommended nitrogen fertilizer for improved maize varieties has significantly improved grain yield and recommended for maize production in midaltitude area of western Ethiopia.

Effect of city waste compost applied alone and in combination with chemical fertilizer on the yield and nutrient uptake of wheat and subsequent maize crop

The use of city waste as compost can provide a two way benefits of increasing soil productivity along with preventing pollution associated with population pressure, industrialization and urbanization. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the compost applied with chemical fertilizer, its effect on NPK uptake and nutrient use efficiency by wheat and maize plant. In this context, the effect of city waste compost at 10 and 20 tone ha-1 was evaluated along the application of half and ¾ of the recommended NPK doses on wheat crop and their residual effect on maize crop. The experimental design was RCBD with 3 replication for both crops under the same layout at Pirsabak Research Institute, Nowshehra. Commerical compost was applied and mixed with the soil a month prior to sowing. The phosphatic and potash fertilizer are applied in the form of SSP and SOP at time of sowing while the N fertilizer are applied in three split doses half at sowing time while the remaining with the first and second irrigation. In the succeeding reason, maize was sown in the same layout without applying any compost and chemical fertilizers to evaluate the residual effect of previously applied fertilizers. The CWC significantly improved both the wheat and residual maize thousand grain weight, grain yield and biological yield over alone NPK with maximum values for 20 t CWC ha-1 with 75 % NPK. The CWC also promoted the NPK status of soil and their uptake by wheat and residual maize suggesting that integration of CWC with NPK could improve the nutrient use efficiency and save the use of chemical fertilizer 25 to 50 %. The higher yield and superior performance of CWC in conjunction with NPK over sole NPK or control even in the residual maize advocated that the use of CWC could help in maintaining the soil productivity for the long run. These results suggested that the use of CWC will not only promote the agricultural productivity but could also help in safe disposal of the city wastes and could manage the current pollution scenario with increasing population pressure in urban areas of the country. Based the present study the application of 20 t ha-1 CWC with 75 % NPK could maintain higher yields of wheat and maize for two seasons under prevailing soil and climatic conditions. However, for wide spread application the CWC must be checked for contaminants like heavy metals and pathogens for safe handling and disposals to soils and preventing any hazardous effects on soil plant environment. Keywords: City waste compost; Urea; Single super phosphate; Sulphate of potash; Wheat; Maize http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2015.44004

Effects of varying nitrogen fertilization on crop yield and grain quality of emmer grown in a typical Mediterranean environment in central Italy

Experiments were carried out to study the effects of N fertilizer rates and timing of application on the yield and grain quality of a rainfed emmer crop ( Triticum dicoccum Shübler) under Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: hulled and net grain yield, hulled index, spikes m −2, spikelets per spike, kernels m −2, thousand-kernel weight, biomass, plant height, lodging, grain protein and ash content. In the first experiment, different N rates (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha −1 plus a control not fertilized) were split at three phenological stages (seeding 20%, tillering 40% and stem elongation 40%). In the second experiment, three N doses (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha −1) were applied to three crop stages (seeding, tillering and stem elongation). In the third experiment, the rate of 90 kg N ha −1 was distributed in different amounts (90-0-0, 0-90-0, 0-0-90, 45-45-0, 45-0-45, 0-45-45, 30-30-30) at the three mentioned crop stages. Increasing N rates resulted in higher hulled and net grain yield, as well as protein content. Fertilization (from 60 to 90 kg N ha −1) applied to tillering maximized hulled and net grain yield. Fertilization (90 kg N ha −1) applied to stem elongation gave the highest grain protein content (%) while splitting application (30 kg N ha −1 each) at three phenological stages maximized protein yield per hectare. Application of half or one-third of 90 kg N ha −1 to stem elongation improved grain protein content in comparison with applications at sowing, or at both sowing and tillering. The main factor determining higher yields with increasing N rates in this emmer crop was the number of kernels m −2. None of the yield components accounted for differences in grain yield when timing and splitting application were varied.

Nitrogen and Flowering Dogwood. II. Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Rate on Flower Bud Set and Tree Growth

Abstract Impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization rate on the growth of ‘Cloud 9’ and ‘Cherokee Chief’ flowering dogwood was assessed in a field planting from February 2001 until January 2006 in southwest Alabama (USDA Zone 8a). Starting at planting in 2001 and ending in 2005, ammonium nitrate was broadcast in a 0.3 m2 circle around the base of each tree at 4.1, 8.3, 16.5, 33.0 and 66.0 g N·m−2 (37.5, 75, 150, 300, 600 lb N·A−1) with the application of half of each N-rate in April and June of each year. In each year, disease control was maintained with approximately six applications of Heritage 50W fungicide made at 2-week intervals. Trunk diameter and tree height were recorded in early-winter from 2001 through 2006; flower bud counts were taken annually from 2003 to 2006. With the exception of 2004 when N rate had not influence on bud formation, highest flower bud counts were associated with elevated rates of 33 and 66 g N·m−2 (300 and 600 lb·N−2). Nitrogen rate had no influence on the height or trunk diameter of flowering dogwood until three and four years, respectively, after planting. Impact of N rates below 66.0 g N·m−2 (600 lb·A−1) per year on tree height was minimal. In 2005 and 2006, trunk diameter was greater for trees receiving the two highest than the two lowest N rates. Regression analysis was used to calculate optimum N rate for flower bud set, as well as change in trunk diameter and tree height.

Effect of N rate, timing and splitting and N type on bread-making quality in hard red spring wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Three different experiments were designed to study the effects of N fertilizer rate, timing and splitting, and the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer on the bread-making quality of hard red spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) over a 3-year period in Vertisols under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: grain yield, test weight, grain protein content, gluten index and alveograph parameters ( W: alveogram index; P: dough tenacity; L: dough extensibility; P/ L: tenacity–extensibility ratio). The N rate experiment included rates of 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha −1 applied on four different sites. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four blocks. For the experiment on N timing and splitting, a single rate of 150 kg N ha −1 was used, different fractions being applied at sowing, tillering and stem elongation, at a single site; again, experimental design was a randomized complete block with four blocks. Finally, for the experiment on the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer, a single fertilizer dose of 150 kg N ha −1 was applied in two forms (urea+ammonium nitrate and urea+ammonium nitrosulfate) with one leaf application at ear emergence (zero, 25 kg S ha −1, 25 kg N ha −1, 25 kg S ha −1+25 kg N ha −1 and 50 kg N ha −1), also at a single site, using a split-plot design with four replications. Year-on-year variation in rainfall led to marked variations in wheat yield, grain protein content and bread-making quality indices. A close correlation was observed between rainfall over the September–May period and both grain yield and grain protein content (optimum values for both being recorded in the rainfall range 500–550 mm) as well as the alveogram index. A negative correlation was observed between mean maximum temperatures in May and both test weight and alveogram index ( W). N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on bread-making quality than on grain yield. The highest values for grain yield were recorded at an N rate of 100 kg ha −1, while maximum grain protein content values were recorded at 150 kg ha −1. Application of half or one-third of total fertilizer N at stem elongation improved grain yield and grain protein content with respect to applications at sowing alone or at both sowing and tillering. Increased N rates led to a considerable increase in W values and to a reduction in the P/ L ratio, thus improving dough balance, with a negative effect on the gluten index. Leaf application of N at ear emergence only affected grain protein content and the W index. Soil or leaf application of S had no effect on protein quality indices. The response of grain yield and grain protein content to fertilizer N differed from that reported for temperate climates.

Selectivity of the acaricide, Bifenazate, and aphicide, pymetrozine, to spider mite predators in Washington hops

Toxicity of an acaricide, bifenazate, and an aphicide, pymetrozine, to the phytoseiid mites, Galendromus occidentalis Nesbitt, Neoseiulus fallacis Garman and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), and the coccinellid spider mite predators, Stethorus punctum picipes Casey and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, was examined in laboratory bioassays. The impact of applications of these pesticides on phytoseiids and a guild of spider mite/aphid predators in commercial hop yards in Washington was also evaluated. In bioassays, bifenazate at the full field rate was moderately toxic to the phytoseiids and coccinellids (37-81% mortality) but less toxic at half and quarter rates (0-44% and 0-11%, respectively). Pymetrozine was non-toxic to all predators at all rates. Phytoseiid (G. occidentalis/N. fallacis) populations and a guild of non-phytoseiid spider mite/aphid predators in hop yards appeared unaffected by single applications of half or three-quarter rates of bifenazate and the full rate of pymetrozine. Bifenazate and pymetrozine show great potential as selective pesticides that can be used in a sustainable hop arthropod management program based on recruitment and conservation of endemic natural enemies.

EFFECTS OF FERTILISER ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DURIAN AND PAPAYA TO PHYTOPHTHORA PALMIVORA

A complete liquid inorganic fertiliser (Vitall(TM)) and organic composted chicken manure were compared in pot trials for their effects on the growth of papaya, and on the susceptibility of papaya and durian to disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora. A single application of 2.5% chicken manure, or regular applications of Vitall led to increased growth in papaya seedlings over a 3-month period, compared to seedlings grown in unfertilised vermiculite/sand (50:50). Regular applications of half the recommended rate of Vitall produced the largest seedlings. Root dry weights were greater in fertilised than in unfertilised treatments, but did not differ between the inorganic and organic fertilisers. In contrast to the Vitall treatments, the incorporation of chicken manure into the potting mix led to increased survival of P. palmivora-infected papaya and durian seedlings, stimulated root regeneration in papaya after infection with P. palmivora, and the reduction of P. palmivora in the potting mix to undetectable levels within 4 weeks. The improved survival of infected papaya and durian grown in chicken manure amended potting mix was attributed to the higher levels of antagonistic microorganisms, such as actinomycetes, which led to the suppression of the pathogen.

Integrated Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Management Affects Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Yield and Economics

The effect of barley seeding rate and row spacing, and triallate, diclofop, and difenzoquat herbicide rate on barley grain yield and quality, and wild oat control were evaluated in field experiments near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1989 and 1990. The purpose of the study was to develop integrated control strategies for wild oat in spring barley. Barley row spacing (9 and 18 cm) did not affect barley grain yield. Barley grain yield was greatest when barley was seeded at 134 or 201 kg ha–1compared to 67 kg ha–1. Wild oat control increased as wild oat herbicide rate increased and barley grain yield was greatest when wild oat herbicides were applied. However, barley grain yield was similar when wild oat biomass was reduced by either 65 or 85% by applications of half and full herbicide rates, respectively. Net return was greatest when the half rate of herbicide was applied to 100 wild oat plants per m2and was greatest when half or full herbicide rates were applied to 290 wild oat plants per m2. Net return increased when the seeding rate was increased to 134 or 201 kg ha–1when no herbicide was applied and when 290 wild oat plants per m2were present.

Relative efficacy of some new urea-based nitrogen fertilizers for growing wetland rice on a permeable alluvial soil

SummaryEfficiency of N contained in some modified urea fertilizers was studied for wetland rice grown in an alkaline, low organic matter Fatehpur loamy sand (Typic Ustipsamment) soil having an average percolation rate of 109 mm/day. In the four field experiments, sulphurcoated urea (SCU) produced significantly more rice grain than urea supergranules (USG) or divided applications of urea or ammonium sulphate. Application of SCU at 58 kg N/ha yielded as much rice grain as was produced by divided application of urea at 116 kg N/ha. The N uptake data suggested that SCU-N was more efficiently translated into grain yield than urea N. Granular (7-day release rate 19%) and forestry (7-day release rate 29%) grades of SCU were equally effective. However, application of half the N basally through SCU and the remaining half top dressed as urea failed to outyield all urea divided in three applications. The indigenous coated materials, rock-phosphate-coated urea and urea gypsum, also did not perform better than divided urea applications as these did not possess a 7-day release rate less than 95%. Urea supergranules placed in the reduced zone of the soil could not come to the level of divided application of urea or ammonium sulphate. The N uptake data indicated that USG-N was correspondingly inefficiently utilized by rice. When the deep placement aspect of USG was combined with slow-release properties of SCU in the form of sulphur-coated urea supergranules (SCUSG), the performance of this product was inferior even to the divided application of urea. Undissolved or partially dissolved granules of SCUSG could be recovered even after the harvest of the crop.

A comparative Method for testing Agents used in Sheep Maggot Fly Control

A controlled technique is described, whereby the comparative protective values of various dips and sprays used in sheep maggot fly control can be accurately assessed.In order to determine the exact mode of action of the agents under test, each is examined from the point of view of its power to inhibit oviposition by the adult fly and also for its larvicidal properties.The “anti-adult” test involves the weekly exposure of treated groups of sheep to an active and dense fly population, maintained in a closed chamber under controlled conditions of temperature and light.The larvicide test is a modification of a former method of larval implantation, and is applied to the sheep when the “anti-adult” protection, indicated by the previous test, is found to have failed.In the second part of the paper, a number of results are presented which serve to illustrate the working of the technique, and demonstrate the comparative value of several methods of maggot fly control which are in current use.A dip containing 0·5 per cent. DDT in water suspension was found to give the most satisfactory protection, and to achieve this result purely by its action against the adult fly. A 0·5 per cent. DDT benzene emulsion dip was less satisfactory, as alsowas spraying as a method of applying the insecticide. In general, spraying has given about half the protection of dipping, whilst on sheep in full fleece, the application of half a gallon of spray was found to be inadequate. Protection was again found to be poor when the fleece was carefully dressed with half a pound of a dry powder containing 5 per cent. DDT.In contrast to DDT, BHC and arsenic were shown to possess virtually no “antiadult” properties at the concentrations tested. BHC and arsenic both acted as efficient larvicides and provided a valuable and similar degree of protection against the sheep maggot fly, as an incidental effect, when they were tested at the concentrations normally used for their primary function of sheep scab control.