Crude Protein Content Of Grain Research Articles

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

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

Seleção de cultivares de feijão-comum em sistema de produção irrigado

ABSTRACT In irrigated production systems, the common bean grain yield must reach high levels to maintain economic viability. In this context, management, like the selection of the most adapted cultivars, may be effective in obtaining high yields. Through a three-year experiment, it was aimed to select the common bean cultivars with the highest agronomic and technological performance in an irrigated production system and to determine the yield component that most interfered with common bean yield. The treatments consisted of eight common bean cultivars with indeterminate growth habit and from the pinto bean variety (carioca): ANFc 9, BRS Estilo, BRSMG Madrepérola, Pérola, IAC Alvorada, IAC Milênio, TAA Bola Cheia, and TAA Dama. IAC Milênio and IAC Alvorada had the highest agronomic performance for irrigated production systems, with grain yields up to 17% higher than other cultivars. The cultivars show little variation in the grain technological quality, meeting the culinary and nutritional qualities recommended for common bean. The ANFc 9 cultivar showed the highest crude protein content in grains (19%). The number of pods per plant is the yield component that most interferes with common bean grain yield, generating 86 kg ha-1 increments for each unitary increase. Therefore, the common bean cultivars selection in the irrigated production system is an effective management practice to increase common bean agronomic and quality performance.

Mitigation Strategies of Heat Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through Adjustment in Sowing Temperature and Application of Bio-regulators

ABSTRACT Global warming, as a result of climate change, may destructively affect wheat yield potentially increasing food insecurity and poverty. The field experiments were laid out during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, to enhance wheat growth, quality, and productivity. The present experiment consisted of three sowing at different thermal environments (22°C, 20°C and 18°C) in main plot and eight foliar sprays of bio-regulators (control, water spray, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm, salicylic acid @ 200 ppm, thiosalicylic acid @ 100 ppm, thiosalicylic acid @ 200 ppm, thioglycolic acid @ 100 ppm, and thioglycolic acid @ 200 ppm) in subplot were set in a split-plot design with four replications. The pooled data indicated that crops are sown at 20°C (D2) attained maximum growth parameters i.e. (total number of tillers per square meter and plant height), heat indices (GDD and CTD), quality parameters (chlorophyll content of flag leaf stage, crude protein content in grain and protein yield), and yield (grain, straw and biological), also proved significantly superior over D1 (sowing at 22°C) and D3 (sowing at 18°C). The data further indicated that the above parameters were measured significantly higher in B4 (SA @ 200 ppm), which excelled over rest of the treatments. Therefore, enhancement in yield requires improved agronomic practices i.e. application of SA @ 200 ppm along with crop sowing at 20°C temperature in order to sustain enhanced productivity under heat stress.

Efficacy of chemical and cultural weed management practices on nutrient uptake in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)

The results of the field experiment carried out during kharif season of 2010 at agronomy department farm, Dr.P.D.K.V.,Akola revealed that N,P,K uptake by black gram (Phaseolus mungoL.) and weeds were significantly higher under weed free and weedy check treatments among all of the weed control treatments. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design replicated three times with thirteen treatments, in that chemical and cultural treatments were compared with weedy check and weed free control. Herbicide application in general and pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1.5kg/ha in particular reduced the nutrients removal by weeds and enhanced the nutrient uptake by the crop followed by cultural practices of two hand weeding at 15 & 30 days after sowing. The pre-emergence application of pendimethalin in @ 1.5 kg/ha recorded highest nutrient uptake in grain (34.92, 6.50, 34.16 NPK kg/ha resp.) and strover (63.26, 10.60, 57.60 NPK kg/ha resp.) among all the weed control treatment except weed free treatment. The crude protein content of grain was the highest with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg/ha (21.65) followed by pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha (21.55).

Does crop succession and nitrogen splitting fertilization change the technological quality of common bean?

ABSTRACT The crop succession and nitrogen splitting fertilization are managements that can affect the common bean technological quality and, consequently, the profitability of producer and the food biological value. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether crop succession and N splitting fertilization promote differences in the technological quality of common bean grains. The experiment was carried out during winter over two agricultural years in southeastern Brazil. A randomized block design was used in a split-plot scheme, with four replications. The plots were composed of three crop successional systems (maize sole, maize + Urochloa ruziziensis, U. ruziziensis sole) and the subplots contained nine combinations of N splitting fertilization at a rate of 90 kg·ha-1 N top-dressing in the phenological stages V3, V4, and R5 of the common bean and a control without fertilization. The evaluated variables were: sieve yield greater than or equal to 12 (SY ? 12), crude protein content, cooking time, and hydration ratio. Crop succession promotes differences in the technological quality of common bean; however, the N splitting fertilization did not change the technological attributes of grains. The highest technological quality of common bean was obtained after succession with U. ruziziensis sole, generating large size and crude protein content of grain, followed by the succession with maize + U. ruziziensis intercropping, and finally, the succession with maize sole. Therefore, the crop succession is a fundamental factor for obtaining common bean with higher technological quality, affecting the food biological value and the profitability of producers.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ И КАЧЕСТВА ЗЕРНА СОРТОВ И СОРТООБРАЗЦОВ ЛЮПИНА БЕЛОГО (LUPINUS ALBUS L.)

Due to the lack of irrigation, the question of replacing soybean with an equivalent crop in the context of nutritional value and adaptation to the weather conditions of Crimea arises. One of such crops can be white lupine (Lupinus albus L.). The purpose of the research was twofold: assess L. albus productivity and crude protein content in grain; identify the most promising varieties and breeding numbers of white lupine under conditions of the steppe Crimea. In 2016-2018, the research was carried out on the experimental field of the Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea according to the B.A. Dospekhov methods of field research and methodology of the State variety testing of agricultural crops. We studied the influence of bioclimatic conditions of the steppe Crimea on the growth, development, grain yield formation and protein content of four varieties (‘Michurinsky’, ‘Alyi Parus’ (standard), ‘Dega’ and ‘Desnyansky 2’) and four promising breeding numbers (‘CH-1022-09’, ‘CH-1677-10’, ‘CH-1397-10’ and ‘CH-6-11’). A wide diversity of weather conditions during the years of research made it possible to evaluate the samples in favorable and stressful conditions. In drier years, the growing season lasted 93–97 days because of the reduction in interphase periods; in milder ones it was101 days. The results in grain yield have been mixed: from 0.48 to 1.45 t/ha in 2016; from 0.35 to 0.56 t/ha in 2017; from 0.39 to 0.54 t/ha in 2018. On average, over a three-year study, breeding numbers ‘CH-1022-09’ and ‘CH-1677-10’ were the most productive. Their yield was 0.65 and 0.81 t/ha, respectively. In 2017, crude protein content varied from 24.02 to 28.49%; in 2018 – from 26.05 to 31.1%. On average, over the years of study, the highest protein content was typical for the varieties ‘Alyi Parus’ (29.30%) and ‘Michurinsky’ (29.03%). Breeding numbers ‘CH-1022-09’ and ‘CH-1677-10’ were distinguished by the highest indicators of productivity and yield; in terms of crude protein content, varieties ‘Alyi Parus’ and ‘Michurinsky’ were the best. Consequently, they are the ones that are recommended for cultivation.

Straw Type and Nitrogen Fertilization Influence Winter Common Bean Yield and Quality

The common bean grown under straw of intercropped plants improves the cropping environment in no-tillage systems. In addition, nutrient supply from straw could reduce the use of topdressing nitrogen in common bean. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate under no-tillage system the effect of straw type and topdressing nitrogen doses in the irrigated common bean productive and qualitative attributes. The experimental design was in randomized blocks arranged in split-plots with four replications. The plots were composed by three straw types from different cropping systems, represented by sole maize, maize-intercropped with brachiaria and maize-intercropped with crotalaria. The subplots consisted of five topdressing N doses applied on common bean 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha−1 of nitrogen via urea (coated with polymers). The common bean grown under the straw of maize intercropped with crotalaria showed higher number of pods per plant, grain yield and lower time for maximum grain hydration when compared to those plants grown under the straw of sole maize. Moreover, the crude protein content in the common bean grains was greater when plants were grown under the straw of maize intercropped with crotalaria than the straw of maize intercropped with brachiaria. The agronomic efficiency of common bean was higher when the plants were grown under the straw of maize intercropped with crotalaria in the lowest nitrogen fertilization rate tested (50 kg ha−1). Leaf nitrogen content, grain yield, sieve yield and crude protein content in the grain increased with increasing nitrogen availability via topdressing. Therefore, the results suggest that agronomic and qualitative characteristics of common bean are benefited when cultivated on the maize straw combined with crotalaria even reducing up to 50% the requirement of nitrogen fertilization.

Responsiveness of buckwheat varieties to foliar applications by microfertilizer under forest steppe of the volga region

The yields of modern intensive varieties of buckwheat in arid regions are highly susceptible to adverse hydrothermal growing conditions. The selection of optimal compositions and technologies for using modern agrochemicals that provide an adaptogenic effect and a favourable vegetation regime of plants can be an effective way to stabilize the grain production of this warm-loving but the drought-resistant crop. Scientists have poorly studied these issues and the issues of efficient use of mineral nutrition resources in buckwheat. They studied the responsiveness of buckwheat varieties, that differ in the morphological and biological characteristics of plants, to the foliar application by Yara concentrated complex water-soluble fertilizers containing macroand microelements.The data obtained indicate the presence of varietal specificity, which manifests itself to varying degrees of plant responsiveness to foliar application in the formation of leaf area, grain yield and quality indicators of the crop. The authors made conclusions about the preferred dates for foliar application with the studied Yara complex micronutrient fertilizers. When the foliar application of microelements in the phase of the beginning of grain formation, the K-850 cultivar had the highest yield and the best quality parameters of grains. For the K-899 cultivar, the application in the russeting phase was most effective for grains and affected the best plumpness of the grains. The more powerful morphological potential of Batyr plants was not realized by an adequate increase in yield for the performed feeding. The authors observed a slight tendency to decrease the crude protein content in grains during the foliar application which is probably due to the inverse correlation of this trait with the formation rate of the organic mass of plants.

Nitrogen assay in winter wheat by short-time instrumental photon activation analysis and its comparison with the Kjeldahl method

The nitrogen content in winter wheat from various crops grown organically or conventionally was determined by instrumental photon activation analysis. The method utilizes measurement of the annihilation gamma line at 511 keV from the short-lived photoactivation product 13N, corrected for interference contributions from other positron emitting nuclides. Results compared well to those obtained by the Kjeldahl method. A positive impact of conventional agriculture on higher crude protein content in grain was found. Analysis of whole kernels and their germination and growth after irradiation were also tested.

The influence of bioorganic nanofertilizer on spring barley and oilseed rape productivity and economical effectiveness

Fertilizing field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University in 2014–2015. Spring rape and spring barley with under-crop, perennial grass in the 1st year of use, and winter wheat were grown in four-field crop rotation. The experiment aim was to evaluate the influence of fertilizer on spring barley and on oilseed rape applying bioorganic nanofertilizers (BNF) and N60P60K70. The spring barley breed ‘Luokė’ and the oilseed rape ‘Sponsor’ were grown for the experiment. The research showed that N60P60K70 and BNF had a positive effect on the yield of spring barley ‘Luokė’ and of oilseed rape ‘Sponsor’. The spring barley grain yield increased from 6.8 to 16.3% and the oilseed rape seed yield increased from 8.1 to 23.3% compared to the control. The best yields were obtained fertilizing with N60P60K70 and BNF rate 1.0 l ha–1 and spraying twice. Fertilization with N60P60K70 and BNF 1.0 l ha–1 sprayed twice increased the crude protein content in grains by 0.51%. Fertilization with N60P60K70 and BNF solutions significantly increased the yield of spring barley grain and straw and improved the grain quality, positively influenced 1 000 grain weight, sprouting energy and germination. Application of N60P60K70 and BNF for barley is economically beneficial because it gave the highest profit compared to other options, 158.10 € ha–1. The premium yield of spring rape, sprayed with BNF 1.0 l ha–1 solution twice, was higher by 89.92 € ha–1 than that of the oilseed rape sprayed once. Application of N60P60K70 and BNF on oilseed rape is economically beneficial because it gave the highest profit compared with other options, 172.90 € ha–1.

Spring Barley Yield Parameters after Lignite, Sodium Humate and Nitrogen Utilization

Abstract The existence of a small number of publications dealing with the impact of solid sodium humate and lignite on the quantity and quality of grown crops was the reason for establishing the field experiment. The objective of this experiment was to detect the impact of solid lignite and solid sodium humate on the quantity and quality of spring barley yield. These substances were applied into the soil either independently or along with nitrogen fertiliser. The next objective was to determine the impact of foliar application of sodium humate water solution applied either independently or along with nitrogen fertiliser on the quality and quantity of spring barley yield. The achieved results showed that the autumn application of solid lignite and the presowing application of solid sodium humate into the soil tended to decrease the yield of both grain and straw of spring barley, crude protein content in grain, proportion of the first-class grains and volume weight of grain, whereas the impact of humate was more negative. Lignite and sodium humate in the solid form should be used along with nitrogen fertiliser. The application of sodium humate in liquid form during the growth season of barley tended to increase the yield of both grain and straw. The joint application of nitrogen and liquid sodium humate during the growth season of barley increased the grain yield of barley significantly. A lower dose of nitrogen, applied during the growth season of barley (growth season BBCH 23), increased the grain yield of barley considerably more than a higher N dose, applied into the soil before barley sowing.

Growth, yield and quality of maize with elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and temperature in north–west India

An experiment was conducted growing maize (Zea mays L.) in open top chambers (OTCs) to determine the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature on growth, yield, yield attributes and grain quality of maize. Maize (var. PEHM 5) was grown with two levels of carbon dioxide i.e., ambient (400ppm) and elevated (550±20ppm) and three levels of temperature i.e., ambient, ambient +1.5°C and ambient +3.0°C during kharif (July–October) seasons of 2013 and 2014 in New Delhi, India. Elevated CO2 increased grain yield of maize by 53.7% and harvest index (HI) by 2.9% compared to ambient CO2. Stover yield and yield attributes such as cob length, cob diameter, grain weightcob−1, number of grainscob−1 and 100 grain weight also increased with elevated CO2. However, elevated CO2 decreased N concentrations in grain by 11.0% and P content by 19.0% but increased K content by 5.0% over ambient CO2. Elevated temperature by 1.5°C and 3.0°C decreased grain yield by 4.9% and stover yield by 37.0% but increased HI by 6.0% compared to ambient temperature. Elevated temperature levels positively affected grain N, P and K concentrations in grain. Simultaneous elevation of CO2 and temperature increased leaf area index, number of grainsrow−1, grain yield and harvest index but decreased days to 50% tasseling, cob length, cob diameter, grain weightcob−1 and crude protein content in grain. Test weight, stover yield and total biomass increased at elevated CO2 with ambient +1.5°C temperature but decreased at elevated CO2 with ambient +3.0°C temperature. The results indicated that elevated CO2 had positive effects whereas elevated temperature had negative effects on growth and yield of maize. With elevation of both CO2 and temperature, elevated CO2 reduced the negative effects of elevated temperature on yield and yield components of maize.

Spring barley as affected by nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser rates calculated using different diagnostic methods

Assessing the response of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to the nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser rates calculated using different diagnostic methods was the main aim of the experiment conducted at the Rumokai Experimental Station of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2010–2012. The experiment was carried out on a Bathihypogleyi-Calc(ar)ic Luvisol (LVk-gld-w) with a predominant soil texture of silt loam on heavy clay. The mineral sulphur content determined in 0–60 cm soil layer in spring was very low in 2010 and 2012 and medium in 2011; the treatment of spring barley crop with S 15-20 rates the grain yield increased by 5.1–23%, straw yield – by 8.3–19.4%. Mineral nitrogen levels in 0–60 cm soil layer were high and very high (102–173 kg ha -1 ) at the end of spring barley tillering stage (BBCH 28); at the same time the content of total nitrogen in barley leaves was optimal. Due to this, the adjustment of supplementary fertilisation (increasing/decreasing of the nitrogen rate by 20–60 kg ha -1 ) had no significant effect on the crop yield, productivity components and starch and crude protein content in grains. Foliar fertilisation of spring barley increased the grain yield statistically significantly only in 2010 when mineral sulphur and mineral nitrogen content in 0–60 cm soil layer at the spring barley tillering stage (BBCH 28) was significantly lower (8.5 and 123 kg ha -1 , respectively) in comparison to the other experimental years. The yield increase was 41.8% when ammonium sulphate had been applied and 12.1% when urea had been applied.

Effects of Powdery Mildew on 1000-Kernel Weight, Crude Protein Content and Yield of Winter Wheat in Three Consecutive Growing Seasons

In order to clarify the impact posed by wheat powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) on the yield and yield components in different epidemic seasons, field trials were conducted in three growing seasons, 2009–2010, 2010–2011 and 2011–2012, in Langfang City, Hebei Province, China. The relationships between 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield and disease index (DI), as well as area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were studied. The models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield were constructed using DI at critical point (CP) of growth stages (GS) and AUDPC in the three growing seasons, respectively. The CPs for estimating 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield of wheat caused by powdery mildew were GS 11.1, GS 10.5.3 and GS 10.5.3, respectively. Models based on DI at CP to estimate the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield were better than models based on AUDPC. And models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield for 2011–2012 season were significant different from these for 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 seasons. These results indicated that besides powdery mildew, weather conditions also had influence on 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield loss of wheat when powdery mildew occurred.

EFFECT OF LIQUID ORGANIC HUMATE FERTILIZER HUMUSTIM ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SPRING FORAGE PEA

Effect of liquid organic humate fertilizer Humustim on chemical composition of aboveground biomass, root biomass and grain of spring forage pea was studied at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2002–2004). Presowing treatment of seeds and treatments during vegetation were applied. The treatment with Humustim increased content of crude protein, macro elements and water–soluble carbohydrates in the aboveground biomass of plants. The highest content of crude protein (13.69%) and water–soluble carbohydrates (8.40%) was found for presowing treatment with Humustim at the dose of 1.2 L/t seeds + one treatment during vegetation. Applying of Humustim decreased crude protein content in roots from 5.0% to 17.8%. Treatment with Humustim had no effect on crude protein content in grain and increased water–soluble content (from 3.3% to 10.0%) and Са (from 11.1% to 77.8%). Better growth and development of spring forage pea were observed after treatment with Humustim–plant height and root length increased.

Differences in yield parameters of emmer in comparison with old and new varieties of bread wheat

Emmer wheat (Triticum diccocum Schrank) belonged to the most frequent species of cereals in the past. Nowadays, it is grown in arid and montane areas in particular. Interest in this cereal species has increased, as it is tolerant to biotic and abiotic stressing factors. Therefore, yield parameters were evaluated in three-year (2007, 2008 and 2010) trials that were carried out in two different localities in the Czech Republic. Results of the research were compared to characteristics of four old and two top modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The emmer wheat varieties were resistant to usual wheat diseases. They formed their yield by a quantity of productive tillers (2.5), whereas the varieties of bread wheat had less productive tillers (1.5) per one plant. The distribution of assimilates was worse in the emmer wheat plants and it provoked a lower harvest index (0.33) there. Grain yield of the emmer wheat varieties reached 58% of the yield level of the mean of control bread wheat varieties. High crude protein content in grain (17.91%) was an advantage of the emmer wheat varieties; the control bread wheat varieties reached 13.73%. Protein content was positively influenced (P < 0.01) by an ability of the emmer varieties to uptake as much nitrogen as possible from the soil during the flowering period. Adaptability to the land and climatic environmental conditions was another positive characteristic of the emmer wheat landraces in comparison with old and modern bread wheat varieties. Key words: Emmer wheat, bread wheat, landraces, sustainable farming, yield formation.

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on chemical composition and rumen fermentation of different parts of plants of three corn hybrids

The experiment compared reductions in the level of N fertilisation of corn crop ( i.e., no N fertilisation; 0-N, or 150 kg of N/ha; 150-N) with those currently adopted in the Po valley of North Italy ( i.e., 300 kg of N/ha; 300-N) on chemical and nutritional characteristics of grain, stalks and leaves in corn hybrids selected for whole plant silage production ( i.e., FAO 700 maturity). Grain composition and starch availability for digestion was examined at three stages of maturity of the kernels ( i.e., ½ milk line, ¾ milk line and black layer). One hybrid had a lower grain yield (15.2 versus 16.0–16.8 tonnes DM/ha; P<0.05), while all hybrids were similar in whole plant yield. Levels of N fertilization of 150-N and 300-N resulted in similar yields of grain and whole plants, which were 17 and 33% higher, respectively (P<0.01) than 0-N plots. Hybrids were similar in chemical composition. Reduction of N fertilisation from 300-N to 0-N lowered (P<0.01) the crude protein content in grains, leaves and stalks (P<0.05 in apical part of stalks) and reduced the zein content in grains from 43 to 33 g/kg DM (P<0.01). Vitreousness of grains was not influenced by N fertilisation, while the highest (P<0.01) gas production was at the short incubation time of 2 h for grains with 300-N. Reduction of fertilisation levels ( i.e., 150-N and 0-N versus 300-N) lowered (P<0.01) NDF degradation in the basal stalks (0.385 and 0.392 versus 0.412) and leaves (0.604 and 0.620 versus 0.622). Stage of maturity of grain did not interact with the N level of fertilization, and advanced maturity was associated with a marked increase (P<0.01) in zein content from 36 to 49 g/100 g CP and in grain vitreousness from 31 to 40 g/100 g endosperm and with a reduction of the gas production, which had the lowest values at 2 and 48 h (P<0.01) of incubation. Overall, reductions in N fertilisation of corn crop slightly lowered the crude protein content and fiber degradation of different part plants. In grains, the lowest N fertilisation ( i.e., 0-N) reduced the zein contents and increased rumen fermentability.

Cu e Zn na cultura do sorgo cultivado em três classes de solos: II. Composição mineral

Os micronutrientes Cu e Zn possuem importantes funções no metabolismo vegetal, mas, infelizmente, estudos sobre as exigências em micronutrientes para a cultura do sorgo, são escassos. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de Cu e Zn nos atributos nutricionais da cultura do sorgo e no teor de proteína bruta, realizou-se um experimento em ambiente protegido e se utilizou delineamento em blocos casualizados, com a combinação de cinco doses de Cu (0, 0,26, 0,90, 1,54 e 1,80 mg kg-1) e cinco doses de Zn (0, 0,32, 1,1, 1,88 e 2,2 mg kg-1), combinadas na matriz Composto Central de Box, perfazendo 9 tratamentos, os quais foram aplicados em três classes de solo (Latossolo, Luvissolo e Neossolo), com 3 repetições; aos 96 dias após a semeadura avaliaram-se os teores e acúmulo de nutrientes nas plantas de sorgo; a aplicação de Cu resultou em incrementos nos teores e acúmulo de N, P, K e Cu, e no teor de proteína bruta dos grãos, o mesmo não ocorrendo para o Zn. Entre os solos, o Luvissolo foi o mais responsivo à aplicação dos nutrientes.

QUALITY PARAMETRES OF EMMER WHEAT LANDRACES

Emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccum SCHUEBL, is an old variety of cereals which has been traditionally grown in aride areas. Nowdays, it is mainly grown in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria and in the Czech republic. This article deals with a study of quality parametres and selected economic parametres of 6 varieties coming from the genetic resources of emmer wheat. High crude protein content in grain was proved during the trials. Nevertheless, such a characteristic is not suitable for the classical bakery processing (production of leavened products). Low figure of the harvest index is supposed to be the most problematic economic character. However, emmer wheat is a suitable variety for organic farming system. Growing of emmer wheat contributes to an extension of the agrobiodiversity in the countryside and to the suistainable development of a region.

Agronomic Potential of Narrow‐Leafed and White Lupins in the Inland Pacific Northwest

For economic and environmental reasons, there is need for alternative crops to rotate with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). White (Lupinus albus L.) and narrow‐leafed (Lupinus angustifolius L.) lupins were evaluated as potential alternative grain crops under PNW conditions. Maximum grain yield of white lupin was 2128 kg ha−1; however, yields were unstable, and cultivars matured later and were more prone to disease than narrow‐leafed lupin. Narrow‐leafed lupin had a yield potential of &gt;2000 kg ha−1. Early sowing was the most important agronomic factor tested for maximizing yield of narrow‐leafed lupin, with greatest yields associated with sowing during the third week of March. Yield loss due to delayed sowing ranged from 5.8 kg ha−1 d−1 under dry conditions to as much as 60 kg ha−1 d−1 in more favorable conditions. In 2000, delaying sowing from 21 March to 17 April coincided with a reduction in soil water storage of 5.3 cm in the upper 1 m soil layer. Most of this evaporative loss occurred in the upper 50 cm layer, considerably reducing crop water availability. Crude protein content of grain also declined with delayed sowing. Maximum water use efficiency for grain production under our conditions was 6 kg ha−1 grain mm−1 water use. Mean harvest loss ranged from 24 to 62% of hand‐harvested yields, suggesting this will be a potential production constraint. Our results suggest good agronomic potential for narrow‐leafed lupin in the PNW. Agronomic challenges and market potential are discussed.