Biological Yield Research Articles

Determination of critical crop-weed competition period: Impact on growth, nutrient dynamics and productivity of green gram (Vigna radiata)

The critical period of crop-weed competition (CPCWC) varies by cultivars, management strategies, cropping seasons, soil, and climate. Hence, a study was done to assess CPCWC in green gram under different cropping seasons and its impact on nutrient mining, agro-physiological characteristics, and productivity of green gram during the summer and rainy seasons. The experiment comprised of 12 treatments (weed interference until 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 days after sowing (DAS) and crop maturity, weed-free until 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 DAS and crop maturity). The treatments were placed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that, summer green gram outperformed rainy green gram by boosting nutrient uptake, growth and productivity. Weed interference up to crop harvest lowered the green gram dry matter accumulation by 34.11 %, seed index by 8.98 %, grain yield by 76.21 % and biological yield by 31.06 %. However, weed-free until crop harvest boosted nitrogen content by 50.4 %, phosphorus by 87.7 % and potassium by 42.9 %. Similarly, weed-free environment until harvest of the crop raised chlorophyll-a content by 2.9–6.6 fold and 2.7–7.0 fold, chlorophyll-b by 3.8–5.8 fold and 3.8–6.5 fold over season-long weedy plots during summer and rainy season, respectively. This study suggested that the critical duration for crop-weed competition under 5 % relative yield loss (RYL) was 11–43 DAS in summer and 4 to 36 DAS in rainy. Whereas, critical duration for the crop-weed competition at 10 % RYL was 21–36 DAS in summer and 8 to 27 DAS in rainy seasons.

Assessing the Growth and Yield Metrics of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) as Affected by Foliar Nutrient Management

An experiment titled was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station, Badnapur, Maharashtra, under Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during the kharif season of July 2018-19. The primary objective was to assess the impact of foliar nutrition on the growth, yield, and economic performance of pigeonpea. The study was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten different treatments and three replications, utilizing the BDN-716 variety of Pigeonpea. The total rainfall received during crop season was 437 mm.The findings indicated that applying RDF combined with a 2% solution of DAP and Multimicronutrient at a rate of 2 ml/litre during 50% flowering resulted in the highest plant height (150 cm), number of branches (14.33), functional leaves (96.67), dry matter accumulation (143.33), pod count (73.67), pod weight per plant (52.67 g), seed yield per plant (38.67 kg/ha), 100-seed weight (14 g), and overall seed yield (1650 kg/ha). It also yielded the highest straw yield (4100 kg/ha), biological yield (5750 kg/ha), harvest index (28.69). This was followed closely by the application of RDF with 2% urea and Multimicronutrient spray at 2 ml/litre. RDF (25:50:00 NPK kg/ha) in combination with 2% DAP and multimicronutrient @ 2 ml/litre spray was found to be the best treatment for enhancing overall growth and yield of pigeonpea.

Assessing Herbicide-Resistance and Yield Optimization in Boro Rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) through Post-emergence Herbicides Applications

Effective weed management is crucial for achieving optimal crop performance and yield in rice cultivation. While post-emergence herbicides are commonly used to control weed population (WP), their effectiveness can vary based on the dosage and combinations applied. In this respect, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from December 2019 to May 2020 to predict herbicide-resistant weeds and assess the yield of boro (dry season irrigated) rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) in response to post-emergence herbicides. The experiment consisted of five post-emergence herbicides: Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, Triafamone, Penoxsulam, Bispyribac-sodium, and Carfentrazone-ethyl, and four doses of herbicide: control, half of the recommended dose (RD), RD, and double the RD. Weed dry weight (DW), WP, and inhibition were significantly affected by different doses of herbicides. Ten weed species (WS) belonging to four families infested the experimental plots, with the most dominant being Echinochloa crus-galli, Scirpus mucronatus, and Scirpus articulatus. The lowest WP and DW, as well as the highest weed control efficiency (WCE), were achieved with double the RD of Penoxsulam and Triafamone, showing 91.09% and 90.13% efficiency, respectively, at 30 DAT. The tallest plants, highest number of effective tillers hill-1, highest grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index were found with double the RD of Penoxsulam. In contrast double the RD of Triafamone produced the second-highest grain yield. Although double doses of herbicides increased yield, the variation was not significantly greater than the RD. Some weeds, particularly E. crus-galli, S. articulatus, Leersia hexandra, and Digitaria sanguinalis, survived even with double the RD of herbicides. This indicates a potential for herbicide-resistant weeds.

Study of Genetic Variability and Path Analysis for Yield in Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

The current study was conducted in order to estimate the genetic variability, Correlation and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits assessed 31 genotypes of green gram during Zaid season 2023. The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications. Data were collected from 5 randomly selected plants from each genotype in each replication, among 13 different traits seed index had highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variance followed by number of pod per plant, while least GCV and PCV was recorded for days to maturity. High heritability was shown by plant height followed by number of seeds per pod. Seed index and harvest index had highly significant positive genotypic correlation with seed yields per plant. While days to maturity and days to 50% pod setting was recorded as highly significant negative genotypic correlation with seed yields per plant. Plant height followed by primary branches per plant, biological yield seed index and harvest index was recorded as positive direct effect on seed yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels while days to maturity followed by clusters per plant, pods per plant and pod length was recorded as negative direct effect on seed yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. All the traits showed a strong and positive association with seed yield, proving that these traits actually correlate with one another. Therefore, identifying high yielding genotypes from highly segregating populations would be made easier with the use of direct selection for these traits.

Optimum Seeding and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Maximizing Yield and Sustaining Rain-Fed Lowland Rice (<i>Oryza Sativa </i>L.) in Fogera Plain North-western Ethiopia

Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) is increasingly becoming an important food crop in Ethiopia. However, the average rice productivity in Ethiopia is estimated at 2.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> which is much lower than the world average, 4.6 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. Its productivity is challenged due to a lack of appropriate and location-specific agronomic practices like the application of optimum doses of nitrogen fertilizer and the use of optimum seeding rates. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in Fogera district in South Gondar Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia during the 2021 main cropping season to determine the optimum dose of N level and seeding rate. The treatments comprised factorial combinations of four levels of N (134, 184, 234 and 284 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) and four different seeding rates (60, 80, 100, and 120 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. All data on phenology, vegetative growth yield and yield-related parameters were collected and measured following scientific standards of each parameter. Those data were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedures of SAS 9.0 version system. Economic analysis was also carried out by following CIMMYT partial budget analysis procedures. The analysis result showed the main effects of both, different levels of nitrogen and different rate of seeding, and their interactions showed highly significant effect on the number of both total and effective tillers, grain filling, panicle length, phonological parameters, totals spikelet’s, thousands seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and straw yield. Application of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> level with a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> gave the maximum grain yield (6,641 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>), the highest number of effective tillers per m<sup>2</sup> (792) and filled grains per panicle (95.34). Furthermore, the highest net return of ETB 118,850 with acceptable marginal rate of return (2,313%) was also obtained from the application of 184 kg N ha-<sup>1</sup> level and a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the current research experiment, it is possible to conclude that increasing seeding rate beyond 100 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>and N above 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> is not economical yield of rice <i>“Selam’’ </i>variety in the study area. Rather, use of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> and seeding rate of 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> is promising for Lowland Rice (<i>Selam</i>) variety production under the rain fed condition in Fogera Plains and similar agro-ecologies of rain-fed growing area of Ethiopia for better economic and agronomic advantage.

Optimizing NPK Fertilization for Enhanced Performance of Chinese Wheat Hybrids under Agro-Climatic Condition of Peshawar Valley

The goal of this study is to identify the optimum NPK fertilization to maximize yield and productivity under local environmental constraints. To address this concern, a field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, during the rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) withthree replications. Treatments consisted of five Chinese wheat hybrids (18A-1, JM-1215, JM-1683, JM-1216, H-1) and one Australian hybrid (WS-1) with two local checks (Wadan-17 and Pirsabak-15) and two NPK levels, i.e., basal dose (120-90-60 NPK kg ha−1) and 25% higher thanbasal dose (150-112-75 NPK kg ha−1). The results of the two years’ experimentation exhibited that wheat hybrid WS-1 produced higher tillers (444 and 423 m−2), leaf area (32.7 and 30.7 cm2), leaf area index (5.0 and 5.4), plant height (105.3 and 103.1 cm), spike length (21.9 and 21.5 cm), spikes (329 and 322 m−2), grains spike−1 (59 and 58), thousand grain weight (62.2 and 62.2 g) and biological yield (9769 and 9906 kg ha−1) as compared to local check varieties. Wheat hybrids WS-1, JM-1683, H-1 and 18A1 produced 31%, 27%, 26% and 26% higher grain yield than local check Pirsabak-15, respectively, while a higher harvest index (61 and 59%) was noted for JM-1683 in both years. Application of NPK at the rate of 150-112-75 kg ha−1 increased emergence (87 m−2), tillers (421 and 407 m−2), leaf area (23 and 20.5 cm2), leaf area index (3.3), plant height (98.2 and 96.9 cm), spike length (15.9 and 16.3 cm), spikes (317 and 314 m−2), grains spike−1 (43), thousand grain weight (56.5 and 56.3 g), biological yield (9057 and 9163 kg ha−1) and grain yield (3702 and 3778 kg ha−1) compared to the lower level of NPK (120-90-60 kg ha−1). It is concluded that Chinese wheat hybrid JM-1683 and Australian hybrid WS-1 responded better to the higher level of NPK (150:112:75 kg ha−1) in terms of grain yield and its components and are therefore recommended for the agro-climatic condition of the Peshawar valley.

Genetic Studies of Diverse Genotypes of Blackgram in Kymore Plateau District of Madhya Pradesh, India

The experiment was conducted involving 96 genotypes of black gram for genetic variability of 13 quantitative traits at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed existence of significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. Among the genetic parameters phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits indicates the role of environment in expression of the characters. High GCV and PCV were maximum in case of biological yield followed by number of pods per plant, number of pod clusters per plant, harvest index, seed yield per plant and plant height. Characters like plant height, number of pod clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, biological yield, seed yield per plant and harvest index shows high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Correlation and Path analysis studies revealed that the important yield attributing traits like biological yield, harvest index, number of pods per plant, pod length, 100 seed weight exhibited a highly significant correlation values both at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Further, the same traits also exhibited a higher value of direct effects on seed yield per plant. Hence, these traits should be given the top priority while developing the superior hybrids in blackgram.

Impacts of Varying Sowing Dates on the Profitability and Production of Cultivars of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Mill sp.)

At the experimental farm of the College of Agriculture, Badnapur, VNMKV, Parbhani, a suitable range of field experiments were done during the kharif season, with an optimal time of sowing. The experiment was carried out using five varieties in the sub plot, V1-BSMR-736, V2-BSMR-853, V3-BDN-711, V4-BDN-708, and V5-Vipula, and four sowing dates in the main plot, D1: (15 th June), D2: (30 th June), D3: (15 th July), and D4: (30th July). The soil had a medium-black color, a clayey texture, a high base saturation level, an alkaline reaction, and a higher concentration of total soluble salts. It also had low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus and high levels of potassium and lime. The dibbling method of sowing was used. According to the experiment's results, sowing of pigeonpea on June 15 th was the best date to achieve greater yield metrics, specifically number of pods per plant, pod weight plant-1 (g), grain weight plant-1 (g), and test weight (g). in addition to economic indicators including GMR (119080 Rs ha-1), NMR (96573 Rs ha-1), and B:C (5.29), in addition to harvest index (HI), biological yield (kg ha-1) and seed yield (kg ha-1). Comparatively speaking to the other kinds, the pigeonpea variety BSMR-736 was shown to be very prolific.

Effect of Customized Fertilizer Application on Physiological Aspects of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

It is predicted that India will required around 32 million tons of pulses to feed around 1.68 billion people by 2030. Therefore, improved technologies must be needed to increasing production. And increase in physiological efficiency of crop is important to improve the productivity and production of crop. Hence, the experiment entitled "Effect of customized fertilizer application on physiological aspects of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)" was carried out at Department of Plant Physiology, AB & MAP, College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during rabi 2020-21. The experiment consists of five treatments with replicated four times in RBDS design and Indira chana 1 variety of chickpea used as a test crop. The study highlighted that that the T5 CFG 3 (NPKSZnMo 5.5:4.6:4.5:8.3:1.4:0.034 %) based on recommendation (125%) was found effective to minimize the phenophase like 50% flowering, physiological maturity significantly. Higher chlorophyll value was observed in T5 CFG 3 (NPKSZnMo 5.5:4.6:4.5:8.3:1.4:0.034 %) based on recommendation (125%) and Maximum Fv/Fm (chlorophyll florescence) was observed in T4 CFG 2 (NPKSZnMo 5.5:4.6:4.5:8.3:1.4:0.034%) based on recommendation (75%). T3 CFG 1 (NPKSZn Mo5.5: 4.6:4.5:8.3:1.4:0.034%) based on recommendation (100%) was also observed effectively increased dry matter partitioning towards the economic sink and maximize Crop growth rate, Relative growth rate, economic (seed) yield, biological yield and harvesting index. Thus, it is proved that in comparison with the recommended doses of fertilizers application of CFGA has enhanced the plant yield.

Biochar is an organomineral tool for mitigation of Cd toxicity in rice embedded soil and plant

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a significant threat to plants and human, as it can easily accumulate in plant tissues, leading to biochemical and physiological disorders. There is a growing interest in using biochar to mitigate the absorption of heavy metals by rice plants. This study tested peach biochar (PB) and its various levels of applications to evaluate the promising level for Cd remediation in contaminated soil. The application of PB3 had a significant impact on Cd mitigation, with extractable Cd (AB-DTPA) in soil decreasing from 66 mg kg−1 to 18 mg kg−1. Cd content in shoots decreased from 2.5 mg kg−1 to 0.9 mg kg−1, and in grains decreased from 1.1 mg kg−1 to 0.5 mg kg−1. Moreover, the PB treatment led to increased rice yield, from 4.9 to 10 g pot−1, and biological yield, from 4 to 20 g pot−1. The soil also showed improved organic matter content, increasing from 0.4% to 0.7%, and enhanced levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), by increases from 2.1 g pot−1 to 5 g pot−1, 58 mg kg−1 to 83 mg kg−1, and 40 mg kg−1 to 63 mg kg−1, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of PB in mitigating Cd contamination in soil and reducing its uptake by rice plants.

Determining the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Mewar University Gangrar, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) during Rabi season of 2022-23 to effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield characters of barley variety “Rd-2036‟ was used in this study. The required quantities of fertilizers as per treatments were applied. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications consisting of nine treatments combinations. The increased yield parameter such as number of per siliqua, seed yield, stover yield harvest index was recorded with T9 (Azotobacter + PSB + 30 kg ha-1 N through inorganic Fertilizer + 30 kg ha-1 N through poultry manure). The data revealed that the maximum plant height (97.05 ccm), total numbers of tillers (70.25) and yield attributes spike length (7.68 cm), number of grains/spike (44.96), grain yield (42.58 q/ha), straw yield (60.15 q/ha), biological yield (102.73 q/ha) and net return (53406.30 Rs/ha) was recorded with treatment T5-75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter.

Study of Genetic Variability and Character Association for Yield and Components Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm in Bundelkhand Region

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a very important crop among the grain legume crops in India. It is grown in north India in the winter season on marginal and semi-marginal land as a commonly non-irrigated crop. Bundelkhand, a region in Uttar Pradesh, India, is notorious for its harsh climate, characterized by extreme heat and drought stress. Temperature fluctuate with highs reaching 50°C in summer and lows of 5°C in winter, exert substantial adverse effects on chickpea cultivation, impairing crop growth and yield and demand to have genetic resources used in breeding programs. The experiment aimed to characterize and evaluate 204 chickpea lines, including commercial varieties, to understand the magnitude of variability and the association of various yield parameters on the yield of chickpea based on 12 agro-morphological characters under Bundelkhand region. ANOVA shows that significant variation exists for most of the characteristics of chickpeas. Higher GCV and PCV were observed for plant population (GCV 24.92, PCV 31.22) followed by the number of secondary branches (GCV 21.61, PCV 26.55), number of pods per plant (GCV 12.92, PCV 18.47), seed yield per plant (GCV 11.39, PCV 21.98) and biological yield per plant (GCV 11.68, PCV 20.37), revealing that the environment plays a positive role in the expression of these characters. High heritability was found by 100 seed weight (96.41) followed by seed yield per plant (84.11) and number of pods per plant (66.26) and a high degree of genetic advance was found in the number of pods per plant (26.24) followed by biological and seed yield per plant (15.25 and 6.92). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found in seed yield per plant, followed by biological yield per plant, indicating selection could be rewarding in proper breeding programs. Correlation and path studies showed that biological yield per plant (r-0.91), number of pods per plant (r- 0.680), number of secondary branches per plant (r-0.46), number of seeds per pod (r-0.32) and 100 seed weight (0.29) turned out to be the main components for seed yield per plant in chickpea, stipulating that these characters could be desirable selection parameter.

Determination of Genetic Diversity in Greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with three replications during the Zaid season 2023 at field experimentation centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Naini, Prayagraj, U.P. The aim of experimentation was to analyse genetic diversity present among green gram germplasms. Plant to plant distance was 10 cm and row to row distance was 30 cm. the data were recorded from randomly selected five plants for each genotypes for each replications for thirteen characters viz. days to 50% flowering, days to 50% pod setting, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of primary branches, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length (cm), number of seeds per pod, seed index (g), biological yield (g), harvest index and seed yield per plant (g). From the present investigation it was concluded that among 31 genotypes of greengram on the basis of mean performance 3 genotypes were found to be superior for seed yield per plant over check variety Samrat viz., IC-76569, IC-121220 and IC-119006. On the basis of Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics 31 genotypes of greengram were grouped into five clusters. Maximum numbers of 13 genotypes were included in cluster 1 followed by cluster 2 with 7 genotypes, cluster 3 with 5 genotypes, cluster 4 with only single genotypes in each cluster. The highest intra cluster D2 value was recorded for cluster 5 (43.09) with 5 genotypes followed by cluster 2 (30.45) with 7 genotypes. The maximum inter cluster value of 153.82 was recorded between cluster 3 and cluster 5. It was also reported that the characters like seed yield per plant, biological yield, number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length and harvest index contributed about 71.13% towards total divergence alone. Therefore, selection should be done based on these characters considering the diversity and genetic variability present in greengram.

Optimizing Nutrient Management for Pearl Millet: Insights from a Long-term Field Experiment

The study investigates the impact of integrated nutrient management strategies on the yield and nutrient uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a vital crop in arid and semi-arid regions. Pearl millet is a significant source of dietary energy and essential nutrients for rural populations in India. However, its productivity remains low compared to other millet-producing countries. This research aims to enhance pearl millet yield through a combination of organic manures, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers, addressing the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. Twelve treatment combinations were tested, including 100% NPK along with farmyard manure (FYM) and seed treatments with biofertilizers. Results indicated that the treatment combining 100% NPK with FYM at 10 t/ha/year and biofertilizers significantly improved biological yield, nutrient uptake, and soil organic carbon content. Specifically, the highest biological yield recorded was 8026 kg/ha, with notable increases in total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake. This study underscores the importance of integrated nutrient management in enhancing pearl millet productivity while maintaining soil health. By adopting these practices, farmers can improve crop yields and contribute to food security in regions reliant on pearl millet. The findings provide a framework for future research and practical applications in sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the need for balanced nutrient supply systems to optimize crop performance and soil fertility.

Combined Application of Herbicide and Aqueous Extract of Sorghum and Mustard Crop Residue Enhance Weed Management and Yield of Wheat

The rising costs in agriculture and growing public concern over herbicide use have emphasized the need for non-chemical weed control methods. To evaluate the impact of aqueous extracts from sorghum and mustard crop residues on weed control and wheat crop performance, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL) of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, from November, 2021, to March 2022. The study involved three wheat varieties (BARI Gom-32, BARI Gom-33, and BWMRI Gom-1) and six treatment levels: no weeding, the recommended dose of herbicide (RDH), 80% RDH + aqueous extract of mustard + sorghum (AEMS) (1:20 ratio w/v), 70% RDH + AEMS (1:20), 60% RDH + AEMS (1:20), and 50% RDH + AEMS (1:20). The experiment was designed using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that the aqueous extracts significantly reduced weed population (WP) and dry weight (DW) of weeds. Among the wheat varieties, BARI Gom-32 achieved the highest grain yield (GY) (3.62 t ha-1) and other yield-contributing traits. The highest numbers of effective tillers (NET) per hill (4.56), numbers of grains per spike (NGS) (34.57), 1000 grain weight (TGW) (57.81 g), GY (4.09 t ha-1), straw yield (SY) (6.05 t ha-1), and biological yield (BY) (10.14 t ha-1) were observed in the RDH treatment, followed by the combined application of 80% RDH and AEMS crop residue (1:20). These findings suggest that AEMS crop residue extracts could be an effective source for suppressing weed population and enhancing yield.

Effect of magnetic and electric treatments on growth, yield and seedling parameters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The objective of this work was to investigate the impact of electric current and magnetic field to the growth, yield, and seedling characteristics of chickpea by examining the response of chickpea to magnetic and electric treatments of varying intensities and durations. The ICC 30-70 seeds were obtained from the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding and subjected to treatments involving AC magnetic flux intensities ranging from 75 mT to 125 mT for 3 and 5 minutes in the magnetic field, as well as AC electric current ranging from 75 mA to 125 mA for 30, 60, and 90 seconds treatments, separated by equal rest periods. Throughout the study, statistically significant differences were found in field emergence (84.30%), leaf area (8.62cm2), plant height (35.60cm), biological yield (10.70gm), number of pods per plant (30), and total yield per plot (118.67gm). Within the seedling parameters, all treated seeds exhibited the highest germination percentage compared to the control. Additionally, there was a favorable impact on seedling length (27.85cm), fresh weight (0.74gm), dry weight (0.30gm), and vigour indices I (2683) and II (28.71) following the seed treatment. The present study leads to the conclusion that the magnetic and electric treatments shown superior performance when compared to the control. Throughout the investigation, it was noted that the application of magnetic and electric treatments positively influenced the vegetative growth of plants. Furthermore, the dry matter partitioning showed a substantial rise in seeds treated with electric current, leading to a higher yield-per plot.

An integrated methods to manage the corn ground beetle (Zabrus tenebrioides Goeze) in wheat field

This study presents a series of experiments on control techniques in the open field trials to monitor and manage the corn ground beetle (Zabrus tenebrioides Goeze) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The larval stage is particularly harmful, as it feeds on cereal roots and constructs tunnels that damage the wheat crop while residing in the soil. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of various control measures in managing Z. tenebrioides populations and improving wheat yields. Thus, in Qalanchughan village three wheat varieties, the local (Hawler2, Hwler4) and the imported one (Wafia) were tested in the underground (prevention measures) such as organic fertilizers, biofertilizer, chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides and aboveground (control measure) like biopesticides and conventional pesticides. Regarding the underground prevention measures the lowest population of insect was 0.48 larvae/M2 with the highest biological yield (7132.22 kg/ha) of the cereal found in combined soil and seed treatment (organic humic acid + seed mycorrhizal fungi). The lowest population was found in the local variety Hawler4 which was 0.61 larvae/M2 and the highest population was found in Wafia which was 1.04 larvae/ M2. On the other hand, the aboveground treatments also differ in their effectiveness against Z. tenebrioides thus the lowest population of the larvae in 1/M2 was found in the chemical pesticide, Alphacypermethrin 0.38 larvae/ M2 that was not significantly different from Eucalyptus globulus extract which was 0.60 larvae/ M2. Furthermore, maximum biological yield and treatment efficiency were found in Alphacypermethrin followed by eucalyptus extract which was (5581.11 kg/ha and 108.54). The biopesticides and plant extracts can be used as part of integrated pest management techniques to lower the beetle populations and encourage sustainable farming.

Quantifying Competitive Supremacy: A Comparative Study of Weed Suppression in Diverse Wheat Varieties

Wheat is one of the three most important cereal crop in Nepal. It has significant nutritional value and serves as a major source of food in this country. Though various improved varieties of wheat have been released over the years, production has not been able to fulfill the demand which necessitate importation. One of the major constraints for this problem is weeds. In order to address this predominant issue, this study has been conducted to unveil the most weed resistant varieties to the surface. Varieties used were Sworgadwari, Munal, Dhawalagiri and WK-1204 in a split plot experimental design. The total number of treatments and replications was 8 and 4, respectively. The plot was categorized by main plot and sub plot. Main plot was weeding and no weeding whereas, sub plot was variety. The total area of experimental plot was 481m2. There were total 32 plots and the area of each plot was (3m*4m) 12 m2. The space between the plots was 0.5m2. The research tool used was Microsoft excel and Gene stat. From the research experiment, Sworgadwari was better in performance and more weed competitive in comparison to other varieties as it excelled in several parameters like height, spike length, grain per spike and biological yield followed by Munal exhibiting superiority over number of tillers in meter square and grain yield. Weeding exhibited high numbers in several parameters in comparison to no weeding practices.

The effect of irrigation with magnetized wastewater on soil heavy metals, water productivity and heavy metals in aerial parts and grains of maize

Rising population strains food resources; reusing wastewater increases but brings microbial and heavy metal pollution, impacting nature and human health. Among environmental pollutants, heavy metals in wastewater are a major concern. Using magnetized water is a method to improve water and soil quality. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of using treated magnetized wastewater on the chemical properties and tracking of heavy metals in the soil, performance and yield components, water efficiency, and absorption of heavy metals by maize plant. Irrigation treatments consisted of various water and wastewater blending ratios under both magnetic and non-magnetic field application conditions. The results showed that the effect of irrigation water and mixing of water and wastewater on electrical conductivity, soil salts and heavy metals in different depths were significant at 1% probability level. On average, irrigation with magnetized wastewater caused a significant increase in grain yield (9.8%) and biological yield of maize (10.63%) compared to non-magnetized wastewater treatment. Irrigation with magnetized wastewater caused a significant increase in biological (10.92%) and physical (10.13%) productivities compared to non-magnetized wastewater treatment. With applying a magnetic field resulted in a reduction of 17.99%, 23.25%, 17.86%, and 17.12% in the concentration of lead, cadmium, zinc, and nickel in the aerial parts of the plant, respectively, compared to the non-magnetized water treatment. Magnetized water increases the water use efficiency of maize and irrigation management with this technology can be useful in more effective and economical use of limited water resources.

Revitalizing maize growth and yield in water-limited environments through silicon and zinc foliar applications

Maize is an economically vital cereal crop. However, water deficiency can severely impact its productivity. Thus, it is necessary to implement an essential approach to increase maize yield while navigating the limitations imposed by scarce water supplies. The present study aimed to investigate whether foliar applications of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) could mitigate the adverse effects of water deficiency and improve maize growth and yield. Field experiments were conducted in Egypt during two growing seasons (2021–2022) under three irrigation regimes: full irrigation (ET0), moderate stress (ET1), and severe stress (ET2). The treatments comprised foliar sprays of Si, Zn, Si + Zn, and water control. Phenological, growth, physiological, chemical, and yield-related traits were assessed. Results showed that adequate irrigation (ET0) enhanced most parameters compared to water stress treatments. Under ET0, the combined silicon and zinc treatment resulted in the highest values for plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content, grains per ear, kernel weight, ear size, and yield compared to other foliar treatments. Under drought stress (ET1, ET2), Si + Zn applications maintained superiority in mitigating yield losses. Proline accumulation was highest under severe stress (ET2) in the absence of foliar sprays, indicating greater drought impacts. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations of grain yield with ear size, leaf area, kernel weight, and biological yield. Cluster analysis separated irrigation regimes and visualized the consistently beneficial effects of Si + Zn across all water levels. Overall, the results demonstrate the synergistic potential of Si and Zn supplementation to sustain maize performance and yields under varying water availability.