Content Of Grains Research Articles

Relationship between the anthocyanin content values in the leaf sheath base of barley cultivars and in the grain of the hybrids derived from them

Background. The development of barley cultivars accumulating anthocyanins in grain is an important task for breeding, which is based on the Ant1 and Ant2 genes that control synthesis of these compounds. To optimize the breeding strategy and selection of the initial material, quantitative assay of anthocyanin content in the leaf sheath base of barley cultivars was carried out and the relationship between this parameter for some of the barley cultivars and anthocyanin content in grain of the hybrids derived from them was evaluated.Materials and methods. The anthocyanin content in the leaf sheath base was studied in 32 barley cultivars in the tillering stage and in mature grains of 11 purple-grain hybrids selected from the hybrid populations using DNA-markers.Results and discussion. It was shown that there were quantitative differences in the anthocyanin content in the leaf sheath base among barley cultivars, which varied from 1 to 191 mg/kg. A cluster analysis helped to identify three groups of cultivars: with low, medium and high anthocyanin content. The hybrids from crossing cultivars differing in their anthocyanin content in the leaf sheath base with line P18, the donor of the dominant allele of the Ant2 gene, showed variation of the anthocyanin content in grain from 22 to 71 mg/kg. The observed differences among the hybrids were determined by the genotypes of individual plants and the allelic state of Ant2. A weak correlation (rs = 0.37, p = 0.0362) was shown between the anthocyanin contents in the leaf sheath base and in the grain of the obtained hybrids.Conclusion. The results of the study would help to optimize the breeding strategy for the development of new barley cultivars with high anthocyanin content in the grain and substantiate the need to test the anthocyanin content in the grain of individual lines.

Interaction Effect of Phosphorous and Zinc on Yield Attributes, Yield and Quality Characteristics of Chickpea under the Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

The present field experiments were conducted on studies effect of phosphorus and zinc on yield and quality parameters of chickpeas taken up at Student's Instructional Farm, at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, (U.P.) India, during the rabi season 2021-22. The experiment consists of 16 treatment combinations in a factorial randomized block design with three replications consisting of a different combination of phosphorus and zinc. Chickpea variety RVG-203 was grown with the recommended agronomic practices. On the basis of results emanating from the investigation, it can be concluded that among the yield components and productivity parameters maximum values in relation to the number of pods plant-1 (61.26), number of grains pod-1 (1.73), 100 grain wt. (20.20 gm), grain yield (18.85 q ha-1), straw yield (23.35 q ha-1), biological yield (42.20 q ha-1), harvest index (44.67 %) and protein content in grain (20.93%) were found in the treatment T15 [P90Zn6]. Corresponding minimum values in relation to number of pods plant-1 (45.00), number of grains pod-1 (1.20), 100 grain wt. (16.96 gm), grain yield (12.25 q ha-1), straw yield (17.16 q ha-1), biological yield (29.41 q ha-1), harvest index (41.65%) and protein content in grain (19.56%) were associated with the treatment T1 [P0Zn0].

Effect of Fertilization with Meat and Bone Meal on the Production of Biofuel Obtained from Corn Grain

The large volumes of meat and bone meal (MBM) being produced are leading to an increased demand for research into innovative methods of utilizing MBM and obtaining further benefits. The object of this study is to analyze the efficiency of bioethanol and biodiesel production obtained from corn grain fertilized with meat and bone meal produced from animal waste. For the realization of this study, a four-year field experiment was carried out with grain corn fertilized with different doses of meat and bone meal in comparison to fertilization with mineral fertilizers and no fertilization. Fertilization with meat and bone meal should be considered not only for its direct effect but also for the after-effect. The effect of meat and bone meals on obtaining a grain yield higher than that obtained on objects without fertilization and those fertilized with mineral fertilizers was noticeable after applying higher doses from the third year of the study. Fertilization with meat and bone meals did not significantly affect the average fat content of grain, and it only slightly affected the starch content. The positive effect of meat and bone meals on the yield of bioethanol from grain extracted from one hectare was responsible for their yield-forming effect. The differences obtained between years and between fertilizer variants in the yields of ethyl biodiesel and methyl biodiesel per one hectare were mainly related to grain yields, rather than the obtained volume per 1 kg from grain.

Adaptability of high-protein barley genotypes under the conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region

Background. Barley grain is unique raw material of versatile uses. More than 60% of the grain produced In the Volga-Vyatka region goes directly to fodder production purposes. One of the urgent tasks is to develop high-yielding cultivars with good grain quality, thus reducing protein deficiency in farm animal feeds and meeting the need for fodder grain that increases every year. Its successful solution requires a search for new high-yielding and high-protein source genotypes adapted to the conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region and their involvement in the breeding process.Materials and methods. Experimental work was carried out in 2018–2020 at the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N.V. Rudnitsky, Kirov. Protein content in grain, yield, resistance to lodging, and duration of the growing season of 31 barley accessions were assessed. The barley collection was studied according to the International COMECON List of Descriptors for the Genus Hordeum L. and Methodological Guidelines. Protein content was measured using a universal rapid analyzer (INFRAMATIC 8620).Results and conclusions. Protein content had a strong correlation with Selyaninov’s hydrothermal coefficient in the interphase period from ear emergence to maturity (r = 0.85); the sum of effective temperatures during the entire growing season (r = 0.75); and precipitation in the period from seedling emergence to maturity (r = 0.67). Traits of breeding value (yield, lodging resistance, environmental plasticity, and stability) were observed in the following accessions: k-30574 (‘Filippa’, Sweden), k-30256 (‘Rodos’, Poland), ya-52 (‘Crusades’, Great Britain), k-35415 (NCL 95098, Argentina), k-30892 (‘Naran’, Russia), k-15619 (‘Polyarny 14’, Russia), ya-4 (752A, Switzerland), k-30349 (Landrace, Peru), k-5983 (Local, Afghanistan), k-3506 (Local, India), k-2929 (Local, China), k-2930 (Local, China), and k-5210 (‘Makbo’, Australia).

The Status and Research Progress of Cadmium Pollution in Rice- (Oryza sativa L.) and Wheat- (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping Systems in China: A Critical Review.

The accumulation of cadmium in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a serious threat to the safe use of farmland and to the health of the human diet that has attracted extensive attention from researchers. In this review, a bibliometric analysis was performed using a VOS viewer (1.6.18, Netherlands) to investigate the status of cadmium contamination in rice and wheat growing systems, human health risks, mechanisms of Cd uptake and transport, and the corresponding research hotspots. It has a certain reference value for the prevention and control of cadmium pollution in rice and wheat planting systems in China and abroad. The results showed that the Cd content in rice and wheat planting systems in the Yangtze River Basin was significantly higher than that in other areas of China, and the Cd content in rice and wheat grains and the hazard quotient (HQ) in Hunan Province was the highest. The average Cd concentration exceeded the recommended limit by about 62% for rice and 81% for wheat. The main reasons for the high Cd pollution in rice and wheat growing areas in Hunan are mining activities, phosphate fertilizer application, sewage irrigation, and electronic equipment manufacturing. In this review, we demonstrate that cadmium toxicity reduces the uptake and transport of essential elements in rice and wheat. Cadmium stress seriously affected the growth and morphology of plant roots. In the shoots, Cd toxicity was manifested by a series of physiological injuries, such as decreased photosynthesis, soluble protein, sugar, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Cadmium that accumulates in the shoots is transferred to grains and then passes up the food chain to people and animals. Therefore, methods for reducing cadmium content in grains of rice and wheat are urgently needed, especially in Cd-contaminated soil. Current research on Cd pollution in rice and wheat planting systems focuses on the bioavailability of Cd, soil rhizosphere changes in wheat and rice, and the role of antioxidant enzyme systems in alleviating heavy metal stress in rice and wheat.

Soil copper and manganese availability to wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by long-term fertilization in an Inceptisol

Copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) are two most important micronutrients, essential to living organisms through their involvement in different enzymes and other biologically active molecules. An experiment was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to investigate the impact of various fertilizers and manurial treatments on DTPA-extractable Cu and Mn in soil and their concentration in grain and straw of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) after 46 years of continuous cropping. The soil and plants samples were collected at wheat harvest during April, 2018 and April, 2019 following fertilizers and manurial treatments: control, N alone, NP, NPK, 150% NPK, NPK+Zn and NPK+FYM. Results revealed that DTPA-extractable Cu did not show any significant variation among the various treatments except control but DTPA-Mn was highest under FYM treated plot. In addition, nutrient management options such as 150% NPK, NPK+FYM and NPK+Zn were equally effective in enhancing the yield of wheat. The concentration of Cu and Mn in grain varied from 5.25–7.63 and 28.5–36.4 mg/kg, respectively under different nutrient management options. Highest uptake of Cu and Mn was obtained under NPK+FYM treatment while control showed the lowest, indicating importance of organic manures for improving the nutritional quality of food grains. Transfer coefficient (indicating transfer nutrients from vegetative tissue to grain) of Cu did not change by fertilization and manuring to a significant level whereas balance and integrated use of fertilizers and manure significantly increased the transfer of Mn from straw to grains.

Effects of storage bags type and storage duration on seed quality and proximate composition of emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum L.) in Ethiopia

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of storage materials (Storage bags) and durations on seed quality and proximate composition of emmer wheat in farmer storage practices. The emmer wheat samples were stored for nine consecutive months in PICS (Purdue Improved Crop Storage) bag (PB), Grainpro® Bag (GPB), Polypropylene Bag (PPB), emmer wheat treated with Filter Cake (a byproduct of Aluminum Sulphate factory) (FC), stored in Polypropylene bag (PPBFC) and Emmer wheat treated with triplex (a by-product of soap factory) (TX) stored in Polypropylene bag (PPBTX). Data on seed quality and proximate composition were evaluated every three months’ interval for 9 months. As storage period increased from three to nine months; Germination Percentage, Speed of Germination, Vigour, Thousand Seed Weight (TSW), Bulk Density (BD), Seed Damage%, Seed Weight Loss, Protein and Carbohydrate contents were significantly influenced by the interaction effect of storage period and storage bag used. The highest germination (98%) was recorded from seeds stored in GPB for three months. The protein content of grains stored in GPB for three months showed the highest (8.3%) whereas, the lowest (6.5%) was for PPB at nine months of storage. Minimal insect incidence and lower seed weight loss were observed in emmer wheat stored in bags such as BP, GPB, PPBFC, and PPBTX. The use of PB and GPB, as well as the application of FC and TX maintained the proximate and seed quality of emmer wheat.

Assessment of the quality of winter soft wheat varieties in the Volga region

The results of research on ordinary chernozem in the grain-steam crop rotation to identify new promising varieties with high grain quality for modern technologies of cultivation of winter soft wheat in the arid conditions of the Samara Volga region are presented. Under contrasting weather conditions for 2019-2021, when testing 17 varieties, the maximum average grain yield was formed by the varieties Marathon, Basis, Blizzard, Kalach 60, Pearl of the Volga region, Scepter, Malachite, Alternative, Novoershovskaya – 4.38-4.60 t/ha. On average, during the three years of testing, the varieties Svetoch – 49 g, Malachite, Volga 86 by 41 g, Saratov 17 – 785 g/l, Bezenchuk 380 – 783 g/l, Basis – 780 g/l and Severodonetsk jubilee – 779 g/l were distinguished by the weight of 1000 grains. In terms of protein content in grain for the same period, the highest values were found in the varieties Volga 86 and Volga niva by 15.2%, Bezenchukskaya 380 and Blizzard by 15.0%, in terms of gluten content – Severodonetsk jubilee, Saratov 17, Turquoise – 32.1-33.8%. On average, in two years, the Blizzard variety stood out in terms of the indicator. The remaining varieties showed the second class of gluten quality. Correlation analysis established a direct relationship between the mass of 1000 seeds and nature with yield (r=0.54-1.00) and the reverse with protein and gluten content (r= - 0.55 to -1.00). Based on the conducted research, when cultivating winter soft wheat in the arid conditions of the Volga region, the most promising varieties with high yield and grain quality are Marathon, Kalach 60, Blizzard, Basis, Malachite Severodonetsk jubilee.

Combined foliar application of Zn and Fe increases grain micronutrient concentrations and alleviates water stress across diverse wheat species and ploidal levels

This study aimed to examine the reaction of several wheat species with different ploidy levels to foliar application of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) under different water regimes. Thirty-five wheat genotypes, including nineteen tetraploids from ten different species, ten hexaploids from five species, and six diploids from three species, were evaluated in the field over two moisture regimes with the following four treatments: control, foliar Zn application, foliar Fe application, and foliar Zn + Fe application. The experiments were conducted according to a split-plot scheme in a randomized complete block design with two replications in each moisture regime. Water stress negatively affected all measured traits, except grain Zn and Fe content. Combined foliar application of Zn + Fe significantly increased yield and alleviated yield reduction caused by water stress. Applying Zn and Fe significantly increased both micronutrient content in grains under both moisture conditions. Tetra and hexaploid species yielded nearly four times as much grain as unimproved diploid species and were less affected by water stress. All ploidy levels responded almost similarly to Zn and Fe treatments, with the combined application being as effective as each element separately. The highest yield increase in response to combined application of Zn + Fe under the two moisture conditions and the highest grain Zn content in response to Zn application under water stress was observed in hexaploid wheat. Combined foliar application of Zn and Fe increases grain Zn and Fe and alleviates water stress's adverse effects on all wheat ploidy levels, making biofortification cost-effective.

Zinc-Based Mineral (ZnSO4·7H2O) and Chelated (Zn-EDTA) Fertilizers improve the Productivity, Quality and Efficiency Indices of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) through Biofortification

BackgroundField pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an essential pulse crop which can offer highly nutritional food to human beings. But, the inadequate availability of nutrients such as Zn could pose a significant threat to public health. Thus, there is a need to improve the food quality parameters and nutrient levels of the crop using biofortification thus, making it beneficial for human consumption. MethodsThis study evaluated the influence of zinc (Zn) foliar application on food quality parameters, yield, Zn concentration and its uptake along with the economics of field pea cultivation. In the experiment, different concentrations of ZnSO4·7H2O and Zn-EDTA at the flowering and bud initiation stage were applied to the field pea. ResultsThe foliar application of ZnSO4·7H2O (1.0%) at the flowering and bud initiation stages (treatment T7) was highly efficient in increasing food quality parameters such as crude fibre, TSS, N, K and protein content with maximum values of 3.02, 20.5, 3.15, 3.41 and 14.97%, respectively. Also, the maximum yields of grain and straw in field pea for treatment T7 were 4840 kg ha−1 and 3275 kg ha−1, respectively. Similarly, the maximum Zn concentration in grain (54.8 mg kg−1) and straw (52.5 mg kg−1) of field pea was observed in treatment T7. Additionally, Zn uptake by grain (214 g ha−1) and straw (167 g ha−1) was the maximum for the treatment T7 involving ZnSO4·7H2O (1.0%). Whereas, grain Zn concentration and uptake decreased in the treatments involving the use of Zn-EDTA due to the formation of the complex resulting in the reduced availability of Zn to crop. ConclusionTherefore, the application of ZnSO4·7H2O (1.0%) at the flowering and bud initiation stage significantly improved the food quality parameters, grain and straw yield, concentration of Zn and uptake over control and could be used to alleviate the Zn deficiency in field pea.

New hulless oat variety ‘Azil’

The current paper has presented the study results of the new hulless oat variety ‘Azil’, which was developed by the method of individual-family selection from the hybrid population ‘Krestyansky local × ZALP’. The purpose of the current study was to identify economically valuable traits, physico-biochemical indicators of the grain of the new hulless oat variety ‘Azil’. According to the length of the vegetation period, ‘Azil’ is classified as a middle maturing variety. In the State Variety Testing, the realized productivity of the variety ‘Azil’ was 5.36 t/ha. During the study, there has been found that with intensive and high-intensity cultivation in compliance with the technological methods of protection against diseases, weeds and pests, the productivity of the variety ‘Azil’ improved in relation to the basic technology from 0.75 to 1.42 t/ha (or on 12 and 23 %, respectively). The estimation of groat properties has revealed a larger protein and oil percentage in grain of the new variety than that of the hulled and hulless standard varieties ‘Yakov’ and ‘Vyatsky’ (2.2 and 0.2 % of protein; 1.3 and 0.5 % of oil) . There has been identified high loose smut resistance of the variety ‘Azil’ (up to 6.4 % damage) on artificial and natural backgrounds. There has been established a fungi composition and mycotoxins’ content in grain of the standard oat varieties ‘Yakov’ and ‘Vyatsky’, as well as 13 hulless breeding lines of the Federal Research Center “Nemchinovka”. The variety ‘Azil’ has demonstrated an increased resistance to the accumulation of T-2 toxin. Using biochemical methods there has been found heterogeneity of the new variety, consisting of two biotypes. When conducting primary seed production, there has been recommended to use the method of individual-family selection with a double estimation of the progeny and maintaining spatial isolation with other hulless oats.

Yield Response of Maize to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization

Background: A field experiment was conducted during November, 2018 to April, 2019 to evaluate the response of maize to irrigation and nitrogenous fertilizer in shallow red brown terrace soil of Madhupur Tract under AEZ-28 in Bangladesh. Methods: The irrigation was provided as factor A at four distinct rates (irrigation at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% available water) and nitrogenous fertilizer as factor B at three dosages (75%, 100% and 125% of recommended dose) when each factor was repeated three times. Data relevant to soil and plant parameters were analyzed for variance (ANOVA) using Statistix 10. Result: The yield and yield contributing characters of maize responded significantly to varying degrees of irrigation and N fertilizer, with the treatment I4N2 having the highest cob per plant (1.17), cob yield (16.89 t ha-1), grain yield (9.19 t ha-1), dry matter yield (10.15 t ha-1) and the treatment I3N3 provided statistically identical results as I4N2. The treatment I4N2 also resulted in maximum content of grain N (0.87%), P (0.20%) and K (0.26%). The treatment, irrigation at 80% available water with application of 100% N on recommended dose (I4N2) appeared as the most suitable package for maize cultivation in the stated region.

Weeds in Cereal Crop Rotations May Host Fusarium Species That Cause Fusarium Head Blight and Grain Weight Losses in Wheat

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is one of the most common worldwide wheat and other small grain diseases. The infection is caused by Fusarium graminearum and other related species, which significantly reduce grain yield and contaminate grains with mycotoxins which are harmful for humans and animals. Fusarium pathogen survives the winter well in plant debris left on the field. Weeds around and within crops are alternative hosts of Fusarium fungi when an economically important host plant is not present. This article focuses on the determination of DNA content of Fusarium species (F. graminearum and F. avenaceum) in artificially inoculated wheat plants with isolates from weeds, as well as its influence on the severity of FHB and spring wheat 1000-grain weight under field conditions. Fungal DNA content in grains was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the DNA concentration of F. graminearum was significantly higher in the grain than F. avenaceum. The severity of FHB when wheat heads were inoculated with F. graminearum was significantly higher than with F. avenaceum. All F. graminearum strains statistically significantly reduced the weight of spring wheat grains, while F. avenaceum did not affect the weight of 1000 grain. This investigation has shown that weeds in crop rotations are a potential source of FHB infection. However, the severity of the disease is more affected by the Fusarium species than the host plant. This experiment is, to our knowledge, the first report on the estimation of Fusarium DNA content in artificially inoculated wheat plants with isolates from weeds, as well as its comparison with pathogenicity to wheat and its effect on 1000-grain weight.

Agronomic biofortification increases grain zinc concentration of maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency remains a public health problem in Malawi, especially among poor and marginalized rural populations, linked with low dietary intake of Zn due to consumption of staple foods that are low in Zn content. The concentration of Zn in staple cereal grain can be increased through application of Zn-enriched fertilizers, a process called agronomic biofortification or agro-fortification. Field experiments were conducted at three Agricultural Research Station sites to assess the potential of agronomic biofortification to improve Zn concentration in maize grain in Malawi as described in registered report published previously. The hypotheses of the study were (i) that application of Zn-enriched fertilizers would increase in the concentration of Zn in maize grain to benefit dietary requirements of Zn and (ii) that Zn concentration in maize grain and the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification would be different between soil types. At each site two different subsites were used, each corresponding to one of two agriculturally important soil types of Malawi, Lixisols and Vertisols. Within each subsite, three Zn fertilizer rates (1, 30, and 90 kg ha-1) were applied to experimental plots, using standard soil application methods, in a randomized complete block design. The experiment had 10 replicates at each of the three sites as informed by a power analysis from a pilot study, published in the registered report for this experiment, designed to detect a 10% increase in grain Zn concentration at 90 kg ha-1, relative to the concentration at 1kg ha-1. At harvest, maize grain yield and Zn concentration in grain were measured, and Zn uptake by maize grain and Zn harvest index were calculated. At 30 kg ha-1, Zn fertilizer increased maize grain yields by 11% compared with nationally recommended application rate of 1kg ha-1. Grain Zn concentration increased by 15% and uptake by 23% at the application rate of 30 kg ha-1 relative to the national recommendation rate. The effects of Zn fertilizer application rate on the response variables were not dependent on soil type. The current study demonstrates the importance of increasing the national recommendation rate of Zn fertilizer to improve maize yield and increase the Zn nutritional value of the staple crop.

BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MILLET GRAIN AND ITS CHANGES DURING STORAGE

The total fat content, the fatty acid composition of oil (11 fatty acids), and the total carotenoid content in grain of 8 millet varieties harvested in 2020–2021 have been investigated. The mean value of the total fat content in millet grain was 4.4±0.12%, and the varieties did not differ significantly in this parameter. The total carotenoid content averaged 6.7±0.94 mg/kg. The oil from modern millet varieties was notable for high contents of linoleic (62.4±1.32%) and oleic acids (25.1±1.67%), indicating their high nutritional value. The fatty acids in the millet grain were ranked in order of descending contents as follows: С18:2 > С18:1 > С16:0 > С18:0 > С18:2 > С24:0 > С20:0 > С16:1 > С22:0 > С20:1 > С14:1. A high content of linoleic acid in grain was recorded in the varieties Omriyane (63.6±0.07%), Sozh (62.7±0.34%), Yulin 1 (62.4±0.03%), Bila Altanka (62.8±0.04%), Kharkivske 57 (63.2±0.45%), and Zhodynske (63.3±0.31%). The varieties Sozh and Yulin 1 had an above-average content of oleic acid (26.1±0.19% and 26.0±0.01% respectively). The highest oleic acid content was observed in the variety Bohatyrske (28.5±0.15%). These data prove that high levels of linoleic and oleic acids can be combined in one genotype. The carotenoid content in the varieties Slobozhanske, Omriyane, Bila Altanka, and Yulin 1 was significantly higher than the mean value (by 0.6, 0.7, 1.1, and 0.5 mg/kg respectively). Correlation analysis has allowed determining genetic relationships between the total oils, carotenoids, and fatty acids of grain, and has shown weak to very weak correlations between their total contents. However, the oleic acid content was moderately and negatively correlated with the carotenoid content (r=-0.550) as well as with linoleic (r=-0.717), stearic (r=-0.574), eicosanoic (r=-0.590), and lignoceric (r=-0.533) acid contents. This means that breeding of high-quality millet cultivars is complicated. During long-term storage (5 years) of Kharkivske 57 grain, the total oil content decreased by 0.25%, but this change was not statistically significant. After the five-year storage, the carotenoid content decreased by 4.74 mg/kg. The acid value of oil in 2020 was 5.10 mg KOH/100 g of substance. After the five-year storage, it increased to 9.53 mg KOH/100 g of substance. No significant changes were observed in the quantity or quality of fatty acids in Kharkivske 57 oil. Nevertheless, the storage of millet grain was accompanied by a slight increase in palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosanoic, eicosenoic, behenic, and lignoceric acids.

Effect of waterlogging stress on grain nutritional quality and pod yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

AbstractTo investigate the effects of waterlogging stress on grain nutritional quality and pod yield, peanut plants were waterlogged for 3 and 6 days at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56 and 63 days after gynophores touched the ground in 2019 and 2020. Results revealed that compared with the control treatment, the oil and starch content in grain increased, while crude protein and soluble sugar content decreased under waterlogging. Waterlogging stress increased the unsaturated fatty acids content but decreased the saturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, non‐essential amino acids and total amino acids content. In addition, waterlogging stress decreased the total pod number per plant by 6.78%–49.33%, 100‐pod weight by 1.11%–14.08% and 100‐grain weight by 1.85%–16.41%, which caused a 34.33%–55.90% reduction in pod yield per plant. After the gynophore touched the ground for 7 days, waterlogging had a greater negative effect on grain nutritional quality, and longer waterlogging duration led to greater yield reduction. In summary, waterlogging stress caused peanut yield reduction and grain quality deterioration.

Effects of post-silking drought stress degree on grain yield and quality of waxy maize.

Drought stress (DS) induced by post-silking have a major impact on the yield and quality of maize. In this study, the effects of different degrees of DS after pollination on grain filling, starch and protein metabolism, and functional properties were investigated using two waxy maize cultivars as materials. The levels of DS that were investigated were 'mild water stress' (WS1), 'moderate water stressed' (WS2), and 'severewaterstressed' (WS3). Drought stressdecreased grain fresh weight, dry weight, and moisture content in both cultivars during grain filling, and reduced kernel number, kernel weight, and grain yield at maturity. The effect on grain development and yield formation gradually increased with drought aggravation. The water stress (WS) treatment downregulated the enzymatic activities related to starch biosynthesis during grain-filling process, accompanied by a decrease in soluble sugar and starch deposition. The WS treatment increased the enzymatic activities involved in protein synthesis during grain-filling process, thereby increasing the protein content of grains. On average, WS2 and WS3 treatments reduced the pasting viscosities and increased the gelatinization temperatures of grains, with WS3 having the greatest effect. However, the changes of setback viscosity, gelatinization enthalpy, retrogradation enthalpy, and retrogradation percentage under WS treatment were inconsistent in both cultivars. Pearson correlation analysis showed that starch content was negatively correlated with gelatinization temperatures and positively correlated with pasting viscosities in both cultivars. However, grain pasting and gelatinization propertieshave opposite correlations with protein content and starch content. These findings suggest that post-silking DS regulated the grain-filling process and starch and protein biosynthesis, which influenced grain yield and quality. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Reduced stem nonstructural carbohydrates caused by plant growth retardant had adverse effects on maize yield under low density.

Enhancing maize lodging resistance with plant growth retardants (PGRs) is common in maize production. However, the underlying mechanisms of yield formation as affected by PGRs are still poorly understood. A field experiment contained PGR application (a mixture of ethephon and cycocel, EC) with normal (T1) and double (T2) doses and water control (CK) was conducted at four maize plant densities (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 plants m-2) in 2020 and 2021. In this two-year study, the grain yield and kernel number per ear (KNE) of EC treatments were reduced by 4.8-9.0% and 3.3-12.2%, respectively, compared with CK under densities of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 plants m-2 without lodging. However, under the density of 9.0 plants m-2, EC treatments had no pronounced effects on grain yield and yield components. Across all densities, EC significantly decreased the leaf area index (LAI), and the lowest LAI was recorded in T2. The concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs; starch and soluble sugar) in the stem were significantly decreased by 9.9-10.2% in T2 averaged all densities. The sucrose and starch concentrations in grains also declined in the EC treatments. The key enzymes (cell wall acid invertase, sucrose synthase, and adenosine diphosphate pyrophosphorylase) and grain polyamine concentrations showed a slight downward trend under EC treatments compared to CK. NSCs in stems and grains, kernel enzyme activities, and polyamines in grains presented significant positive correlations with KNE. Additionally, structural carbohydrate (SC; including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) concentrations in stems were improved with enhanced lodging resistance by spraying EC. Significant negative relationships were observed between SC with kernel number m-2 (KNM) and yield, suggesting that improved SC in stems might affect the availability of NSCs for kernel set. Although the lowest kernel weight and KNE were obtained at 9.0 plant m-2, relatively high LAI still ensured high KNM and high yield. Collectively, EC treatment increased SC in stems, enhanced lodging resistance of maize and reduced NSC availability for kernels, ultimately presenting adverse effects on maize kernel number and yield under relative low density.

Effect of Biofertilizers on Nutrient Uptake by Green Gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Agri-horti System in Vindhyan Region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

A field investigation was carried out in Factorial Randomized Block Design during autumn 2018 at agricultural farm, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkachha, Mirzapur (RGSC), Banaras Hindu University (U.P.) to investigate the impact of fertiliser and biofertilizer on the nutrient uptake by the green gram (V. radiata L.) plant and grain under guava (P. guvajava L.) trees. The twelve year old guava orchard was established in August 2006 with spacing of 7m x 7m. Seven fertilizer combination viz., control, Rhizobium culture, press mud, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, Rhizobium culture + fertilizer, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria + fertilizer and press mud + fertilizer were applied. Among them application of press mud + fertilizer performed better by recording highest nitrogen content in grain (3.75), nitrogen content in grain (1.50), removal of nitrogen in grain (33.09) Removal of nitrogen in straw (33.03) and phosphorus content in grain (0.41) phosphorus content in straw (0.30), phosphorus uptake in grain (3.62), phosphorus uptake in straw (5.61), and found significantly superior to rest of the treatments.

Selenium Agronomic Biofortification of Durum Wheat Fertilized with Organic Products: Se Content and Speciation in Grain

The biofortification of cereals is a potential solution for increasing Se levels in the human diet. Here we evaluated whether applying selenate and organic N and S sources via foliar alters Se content and species in durum wheat grain. Field trials were conducted in a Mediterranean environment in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 on old (Cappelli and old Saragolla) and modern (Marco Aurelio and Nadif) durum wheat varieties. Four organic fertilization strategies were evaluated: the control (dry blood meal at sowing), the application of foliar S (Bio-sulphur at flag leaf) and N (liquid blood meal at the beginning of heading), and their combined use in interaction with a foliar application of selenate at the booting stage. The Se content in grain was determined using ICP-MS and its speciation throughout HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. In 2018, the lower rainfall in the ten days before the Se foliar application caused a higher Se accumulation in the grain (1.63 vs. 1.44 mg kg−1 in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively). A negative effect of organic foliar S on Se content in grain was observed (−24% with respect to the control). The modern Nadif showed the highest Se content (1.87 mg kg−1), followed by the old variety Cappelli (1.57 mg kg−1). Finally, the Se speciation analysis showed the presence of SeMet and SeMetSeCys. The organic fertilization affected only SeMet, with lower values under organic S fertilization and higher values under organic N fertilization.