Increase In Dry Matter Yield Research Articles

Zinc fortification and legume incorporation in forage based cropping systems: Implications for yield and nutrient dynamics

Aim: To evaluate the synergistic effects of legume intercropping and zinc fortification on forage yield, and plant and soil nutrient dynamics. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design. Treatment combinations included five cropping systems, i.e., sole maize, sole cowpea, sole soybean, maize + cowpea (2:1), maize + soybean (2:1) and three zinc levels; Zn0= control or no zinc application, Zn1 = 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (basal soil application) and Zn2 = 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (basal soil application) + 0.5% ZnSO4 sprayed twice (30 DAS and 50 DAS). Results: Sole maize recorded highest dry matter (11938 kg ha-1) yield. Soil + foliar zinc application (Zn2) recorded an increase of 37.93 % increase in dry matter yield over control (Zn0). Maize + legumes recorded higher nitrogen uptake. There was an overall increase (122.34%) in zinc uptake from Zn0 to Zn2. Soil + foliar applied Zn increased ZnUE by 27.60 % (619.14 kg) over soil applied Zn (485.19 kg). Zn application increased Zn values of soil to 0.50 ppm with soil application and 0.56 ppm with soil + foliar application from the initial value of 0.36 ppm. Interpretation: Intercropping of legumes and application of 20 kg ZnSO4 as basal soil application plus two foliar applications of 0.5% ZnSO4 at 30 and 50 days after sowing significantly increased forage yield, nutrient uptake and enhanced soil zinc levels. Key words: Cropping systems, Intercropping, Legumes, Nutrient dynamics, Yield, Zn fortification

Does fall manure injection cause differential growth and forage nutritive value in small grains?

AbstractProducers utilizing fall manure injection have reported increased growth and greenness in small grains growing on the injection band compared to small grains growing between injection bands. To determine how producers utilizing fall manure injection in small grains should manage potential differential growth, 24 sites under fall manure injection were established. Soil samples were taken in‐band and between‐band 1 month after manure application and at silage harvest for soil NO3‐N. Small grain growth stage was assessed 1 month after planting and at silage harvest, while dry matter (DM) yield and forage nutritive value parameters were assessed at silage harvest. Soil NO3‐N was elevated in‐band compared to between‐band 1 month after manure application (p < 0.05); however, this did not persist until silage harvest. No differences in growth stage were observed 1 month after planting in 2021; however, growth stage means were consistently elevated in‐band in 2022, likely due to earlier planting dates in 2022 compared to 2021. Growth stage at harvest was the same in‐band and between‐band at each site. Small grain DM yield was only increased in‐band compared to between‐band in three of 24 sites. Two of the three sites planted with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) showed significantly increased DM yield in‐band, suggesting DM yield response could be species dependent. No consistent differences in forage nutritive value parameters were observed. As no consistent differences in small grain DM yield and forage nutritive value were found at harvest, we recommend no changes to management practices for producers utilizing fall manure injection in small grains.

The Effect of Different Lime Forms on Cadmium Uptake of Durum Wheat Varieties

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) and its human transport with food chain is a major environmental issue worldwide. The research was based on a pot experiment conducted on fifteen durum wheat cultivars, grown on acid soil pH 5.2. The effect of application of two different lime form (lime1=CaO; Calcium oxide and lime2=CaCO3; limestone) and on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of cadmium (Cd). Durum wheat cultivars were grown in strongly acid soil pH 5.2 treated with control (lime0), lime1 (CaO3 g kg-1 soil), lime2 (5.36 g CaCO3) and Cd (5 and 10 mg kg-1 soil) and harvested after 62 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Durum wheat cultivars without lime fertilization caused decrease in shoot growth, in all durum wheat cultivars and at high Cd treatment. On the other hand, application of lime to the soil resulted in an increase in dry matter yield at both Cd5 and Cd10 doses. While average shoot dry matter yield of lime0 conditions of cadmium 10 dose was 47 mg plant-1, this yield increased to 120 mg plant-1 in lime1 application and to 111 mg plant-1 in lime2 application. Shoot Cd concentrations of durum wheat varieties caused a statistically significant decrease with lime1 and lime2 applications, whereas lime0 and lime2 applications of Cd5 dose caused 46% and 30% decrease in average Cd concentrations, respectively. The results indicated that all durum wheat cultivars were more susceptible to both without lime and Cd toxicity as compared to lime treatment. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was relieved by lime1 and lime2 treatment. The results indicate that lime protects plants from Cd toxicity in durum wheat cultivars.

Soybean Yield and Nutrition Grown on the Straw of Grain Sorghum Inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Intercropped with BRS Paiaguás Grass.

The adoption of diversified agricultural systems that employ integrated cultural practices appears to be the way to sustainably intensify tropical agriculture. Our objectives were to evaluate the dry matter (DM) accumulation of sorghum inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense, with or without a nitrogen fertilization split, intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás), and how these practices influenced the nutrition and development of soybean in succession. The design was a randomized complete block in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial, consisting of sorghum monoculture cropped or intercropped with palisade grass, sorghum either inoculated or not with A. brasilense, and nitrogen applied at 120 kg ha-1 N only at sowing, only at topdressing, or split-30% at sowing and 70% at topdressing at the beginning of the panicle initiation stage. The residual impacts of these treatments on the following soybean crop were also evaluated. Higher DM yield occurred in sorghum inoculated with A. brasilense, however, this result varied by year. The sorghum-palisade grass intercrop produced a higher amount of straw than sorghum monoculture. The nutrition of soybean was adequate regardless of treatments, but grain yield was higher when the sorghum residue was inoculated. The inoculation of A. brasilense in sorghum intercropped with palisade grass increased yield. The nutrition of soybean was adequate regardless of the treatments, while grain yield was higher on the inoculated sorghum residues. The inoculation of A. brasilense in sorghum intercropped with palisade grass increased DM yield. The intercropping increased the production of biomass for animal grazing and DM for soil coverage. The inoculation of sorghum by A. brasilense and its intercropping with palisade grass contributed to higher soybean yield in succession.

Response of forage maize yield and quality to mulch film and harvest time in Northern Europe

Forage maize (Zea mays L.) yield and nutritional quality fluctuate markedly in Northern Europe due to weather conditions. A field experiment was conducted in Southern Finland (Helsinki, 2018–2020) and in Central Finland (Maaninka, Kuopio, 2019–2020) to study the effect of harvest time and use of mulch film, in order to optimize the dry matter (DM) yield and quality. Treatments included oxo-biodegradable mulch film and no mulch, and three harvest times (the latter only in Helsinki). Mulch film increased DM yield on average by 2.3 Mg ha-1 in Helsinki and by 3.8 Mg ha-1 in Maaninka. Mulch film had a minor effect on the quality, and overall, the quality improved, although DM yield accumulation had already ceased. Nevertheless, the starch contents fluctuated and remained mostly below the target rate – 300 g kg-1 DM – especially in Central Finland. The results indicate that mulch film improves forage maize yield, but a late harvest is still required to improve forage quality. However, climate conditions still restrict starch accumulation to ears in Northern European climate conditions, especially in the important milk production area in Central Finland.

Results of symbiotic breeding of alfalfa

The results of the studies on the effectiveness of alfalfa symbiosis varieties created by different methods are presented. Some peculiarities of plant-rhizobial interactions are identified. When alfalfa was grown in low- and near-neutral soils (pH 5.1-6.0), the highest increase in dry matter yield was achieved by pre-sowing inoculation with the CXM 412b strain, and on strongly and moderately acidic soils (pH 4.1-5.0) by the CXM 404b strain. In the year of sowing, the efficiency of symbiosis was at least 25%, and the yield reduction to the control level occurred during 3-4 years of use. Strain СХМ 404b has the unique ability to increase the seed productivity of different varieties under different growing conditions by 23-56%, other strains - by 3-32%. It was found that the productivity of variety microbial systems is mainly determined by the strain of nodule bacteria (the effect of inoculation was 60-62%). No relationship between the yield of the aboveground biomass and its crude protein content was found. The correlation coefficients obtained in the different field experiments were -0.41 ± 0.34 to 0.26 ± 0.39. Pre-sowing inoculation with highly active rhizobia strains of alfalfa variegated seeds of Selena, Agnia, Taisia, created using the methods of conjugate symbiotic breeding, increased the yield in the year of sowing by 26-35% in dry matter and by 44-56% in seeds. The yield of Vega 87, Lugovaya 67, Pastbishnaya 88, and Nakhodka varieties created by traditional methods increased by 3-20% in dry matter and by 23-29% in seeds. Pre-sowing inoculation with active rhizobia strains of alfalfa cultivars created by symbiotic breeding methods increased the yield in the first year of use by 46-128% in plots where alfalfa was not grown before and by 32-35% in the crop rotation with high alfalfa crop saturation.

The effect of nitrogen fertility rate and seeding rate on yield, nutritive value and economics of forage corn in a low corn heat unit region of Western Canada

Grazing whole plant forage corn ( Zea mays L.) during winter by gestating beef cows ( Bos taurus ) is an alterative feeding strategy in Saskatchewan, Canada. Seeding rate for target plant population and N fertility rates for grazing corn have been based on grain corn research results. The objectives of this study were to determine seeding rate and N fertility rate effects and interaction on forage corn yield and nutritive value. Trials were conducted over three growing seasons (2016, 2017, and 2018) at six sites: Scott, Lanigan, Melfort, Yorkton, Outlook, and Redvers Saskatchewan, that ranged from 2100 to 2450 corn heat unit (CHU) rating. Three N fertility rates, 112, 168 and 225 kg ha −1 , and 3 seeding rates, 75,000, 100,000 and 125,000 seeds ha −1 , were evaluated with corn hybrids that were adapted to each site. Dry matter (DM) forage yield at the half-milk line stage was determined and samples analyzed by NIRS at a commercial lab for nutritive value. Increased seeding rate from 75,000 to 125,000 seeds ha −1 resulted in increased DM yield by 1.0 ± 0.1 Mg ha −1 and increased total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield while crude protein (CP) and P concentrations decreased. Fiber, TDN, and carbohydrate concentrations were not affected by seeding rate. Increased N fertility from 112 to 225 kg ha −1 resulted in increased DM yield by 0.6 ± 0.1 Mg ha −1 , and increased CP yield, and TDN yield. CP and soluble protein concentrations increased while neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDF- dig ) concentration decreased with increased N fertility. Mineral concentrations also increased with increasing N fertility. There were no seeding rate x N rate interactions for yield or nutritive value. Site-years varied in most yield and nutritive value variables. N rate x site-year interactions were significant for DM yield, CP yield and TDN yield because the effect of N fertility was significant at only one third to one half of the site-years. Cost of production per tonne of DM or TDN increased with increased seeding rate but neither was affected by N fertility rate. Net revenue was reduced from $522 ha −1 to $462 ha −1 by increased seeding rate while there was no effect of N fertility rate on net revenue. Current seeding rate and N fertilizer rates for grazing corn in Saskatchewan will provide producers with the highest net return. • Grazing corn yield increased by 1.0 Mg ha −1 when seeding rate increased. • Increased N fertilizer rate increased yield by 0.6 0 Mg ha −1 . • Seeding rate and N fertility rate affected nutritive value of grazing corn. • Highest net returns of grazing corn occurred at recommended seeding and N rates. • Variation in nutritive value among site-years means feed testing is essential.

Yield and Nutritional Value of Urochloa ruziziensis in Response to the Use of Liquid Swine Slurry in Maintenance Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the production and nutritional value of Urochloa ruziziensis, in response to maintenance fertilization with liquid swine slurry (LSS). The design was in randomized blocks with five treatments, four doses of LSS (0, 120, 240, and 360 m3 ha−1 plotted in 0, 30, 60, and 90 m3 ha−1 per cut, respectively) and mineral fertilization (200 kg ha−1 N in four applications of 50 kg ha−1). Vegetative and nutritive characteristics of the plants were evaluated. The 360 m3 ha−1 dose showed results equal to mineral fertilization in most of the studied variables. The emission index decreased 34% in relation to the control with the application of 90 m3 ha−1 of LSS in the soil. In the neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF) variables, there was no difference between the doses of LSS and the mineral dose. The increments in the comparison between doses were plant height (39%), crude protein (15%), extractions of N (140%), P (153%), K (147%), Ca (89%), Mg (110%), S (107%), Fe (119%), Zn (104%), Mn (106%), and Cu (101%). The dose of 90 m3 ha−1 of LSS by cut promoted an increase in dry matter yield and crude protein content, without altering NDF and ADF, in addition to linearly increasing macro and micronutrients in Urochloa ruziziensis.

Understanding changes in cassava root dry matter yield by different planting dates, crop ages at harvest, fertilizer application and varieties

Cassava is a perennial crop that can adapt to periods of drought at different times in a growing season, which permits scheduling planting and harvest to develop production systems supplying roots continuously. However, farmers plant and harvest cassava at the onset of rains which creates glut and results in unattractive root prices. Thus, farmers need to understand how cassava varieties respond to different planting dates and crop ages at harvest to be able to use opportunities in income generation that may arise from flexible planting and harvest dates resulting from price and dry matter (DM) variabilities. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the best time to plant and harvest cassava for different varieties (TME419 and TMS581) and to determine the effect of fertilizer on root DM yields in three locations (Idi-Ose, Moniya and Ido) in Nigeria, over two years. The overall objective was to provide information to guide farmers on how to schedule planting and harvesting in Nigeria. The trials were conducted using a factorial split-split plot design. Effects of early, mid and late planting dates combined with harvest at 9, 11 and 13 months after planting (MAP) were tested. Fertilizer treatments included a control (F0) and applications of 75 kg N ha−1, 20 kg P ha−1 combined with 90 (F1), 135 (F2) and 180 (F3) kg K ha−1. A root DM yield increase of 44.8% was observed when crop age increased from 9 to 11 MAP, and an increase of 13.1% when crop age increased from 11 to 13 MAP, indicating that delaying harvests does increase root DM yield across all planting dates. In contrast, root DM yield differences between planting dates were marginal, an increase of 8.1% was observed from early to mid-planting date and of 9.5% from early to late planting dates. Fertilizer treatments significantly interacted with location and the largest responses were observed at Ido. Fertilizer increased cassava root DM yields when compared with control at Ido by 15.38%, 23.1% and 16.7% in F1, F2 and F3, respectively. Responses were inconsistent at Moniya and Idi-Ose. With information on the effect of crop age and fertilizer, farmers could benefit from targeting seasons with shortage of cassava roots and high cassava prices, which would benefit processing industries securing year-round root supply.

Режим зволоження чорнозему опідзоленого за різних систем удобрення

Goal. To establish regularities of formation of the seasonal regime of humidification of over-regraded degraded chernozem under the long-term influence of intensive, low-consumption and organic fertilizer system in 5-field grain-crop rotation in the conditions of the Central Right-Bank-Dnieper Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory-analytical, mathematical and statistical. Results. It was found that on average during 2 crop rotations in crop rotation the dry matter yield of the main product under the organic system relative to the intensive fertilizer system was lower by 3.5 t/ha, and the total biomass — by 8 t/ha. Regardless of the fertilizer system, the share of basic products in the total phytomass was 26–28%. The ratio of dry matter of the main product to the by-product increased from intensive to organic fertilizer system: from 1 to 1.58 and 1 to 2.29, which indicated a more intensive increase in by-products of the organic fertilizer system. The consumption of productive soil moisture from the organic fertilizer system was lower by 40 mm, and the total cost, including precipitation, was lower by 305 mm or 15% compared to the intensive fertilizer system. Coefficients of water consumption regardless of the fertilizer system relative to the dry matter yield of the main products were: Kv=103–113, and to the total biomass: Kv=28–30. Conclusions. The increase in dry matter yield of basic and total biomass is associated with an increase in the consumption of soil and atmospheric moisture. At the same time, the coefficients of water consumption by crop rotation cultures and in general during crop rotation change little regardless of the fertilizer system. In general, for 2 rotations under the organic fertilizer system, 70 mm less moisture was spent on crop formation compared to the intensive fertilizer system. Under the organic fertilizer system, the critical phase of crop development in the crop rotation was 20 mm higher, and at the time of harvest — 80 mm more than the option of intensive fertilization.

Does harvesting Urochloa and Megathyrsus forages at short intervals confer an advantage on cumulative dry matter yields and quality?

BACKGROUNDDue to increasing demand for livestock products in sub‐Saharan Africa, increasing livestock productivity is a priority. The core constraint is limited availability of feed of good quality. We assessed optimal harvesting time of three improved grasses, two Urochloa lines (Basilisk a selection from wild population, Cayman – a hybrid, a product of breeding) plus Mombasa, a Megathyrsus selection. All are released in Latin America and Kenya or in the registration in other regional countries. We assessed dry matter (DM) yields and quality at 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age in two sites.RESULTSDM yields (in t ha−1) were of the order Cayman (9.6–14.3) > Mombasa (8.0–11.3) > Basilisk (5.5–10.2) in one site, and Cayman (6.4–9.7) > Basilisk (4.9–7.6) > Mombasa (3.3–5.9) at site two. The harvesting regimes produced DM largely similar for weeks 4 and 6, 6 and 8, 8 and 12. Across the sites quality was of the order Cayman > Mombasa > Basilisk for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). With increasing harvesting interval, MJ ME ha−1 and kg CP ha−1 were inconsistent across both sites, but significant differences returned for MJ ME ha−1 unlike kg CP ha−1.CONCLUSIONSHarvesting at either 8 or 12 weeks is not recommendable as quality drops without an increase in DM yield that can compensate despite doubling and tripling time respectively, compared to 4 weeks. We recommend harvesting at 4 through 6 weeks for any of the three grasses based on yield against time, and demand at the intensified cut‐and‐carry smallholder systems. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Boron and Nitrogen Level under Different Plant Spacings on some Growth and Yield Parameters of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) in a gypsiferous soil

A field experiment was conducted in the fields of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University for the 2019-2020 agricultural season to study the effect of planting distances and the level of nitrogen fertilization and boron on the growth and yield of broccoli in gypsum soil. The study included three factors, the first factor was the distance between plants, and it included four distances (35, 45, 55, and 65 cm) (D1, D2, D3, and D4), respectively. The second factor was the level of nitrogen application, which includes two levels of nitrogen 70 and 140 (kg N ha-1) (N1 and N2), respectively. The third factor was the level of boron addition and it includes two levels of boron, which are (without boron application and 6 kg B. ha-1) (B0 and B1), respectively. Results showed that the nitrogen level N2 gave a clear significant increase compared to the N1 level in dry matter yield (the first cut), reaching (21.58 g. Plant-1), while the first level N1 reached (17.94 g(. Dry matter yield (the second cut) reached (84.39 g. Plant-1) in the second level N2, while in the first level it reached (74.36 g. Plant-1) and the N2 level was significantly superior over N1 level for some indicators of vegetative growth, plant height (cm) and leaf area (cm2). -1) and the number of leaves (leaf-plant-1) and thus the yield increased significantly in this level of nitrogen at the N1 level, as the total yield of floral heads at the N2 level was (25.865 tons. Ha-1) and at the N1 level (22.6 ton ha-1). The addition of boron fertilizer at a rate of (6 kg B. ha -1) led to a significant increase in the dry matter yield (the first and second cuts) and to a significant increase in the yield, as well as in the boron concentration in the shoot and the floral heads, and the vegetative growth indicators of broccoli. Planting at a 65 cm among broccoli plants (D4) led to a significant increase in dry matter yield (first and second cut) and an increase in plant yield. The superiority was significant over other distances except for the distance D1, which gave the highest total yield of broccoli floral heads, reaching 26.63 (tons ha-1). 1), whereas the distances D2, D3, and D4 gave a total yield of 25.38 , 22.71, and 22.21 (ton ha-1), respectively. The triple interaction between nitrogen (N) and planting distances (D) and boron (B) gave the highest value at the treatment (D4N2B1) which was significantly superior over other treatments for most of the studied traits, except the total yield of the floral heads where the superiority was in favor of treatment D1N2B1.

Specific features of formation of grass-legume mixtures of the first and second year of life in the conditions of the European North of Russia

The studies were carried out in a field experiment in the north of the Arkhangelsk region. Under study were twocomponent grass stands of the first and second year of life, composed of cereal (meadow fescue, reed fescue) and legume grasses (meadow clover and blue alfalfa ). It has been established that in the climatic conditions of the Northern region the studied perennial grasses do not go through the full life cycle during the first year of life: meadow clover develops up to the root rosette phase, blue alfalfa – up to the branching phase, cereals ‒ to the tillering phase. In the first year, the yield is formed due to the legume component, especially meadow clover, which occupies 73 % of the structure. In the second year of life, cereal grasses increase their influence on the yield formation up to 93 %. The most productive variant in the second year was the “reed fescue + meadow clover” variant. With a higher ratio of the cereal component (67 %) in total for two mowings in comparison with the control variant "meadow fescue + meadow clover", the increase in dry matter yield was 2.81 t/ha (LSD05 = 1.46 t/ha), the output of exchange energy was 30.56 GJ/ha higher, crude protein yield increased by 0.22 t /ha. Agrophytocenoses of reed fescue and meadow clover in the first year of intensive use make it possible to obtain green fodder with the protein content in 1 kg of dry matter at the level of 114.28 g ‒ 153.33 g and sugars 133.54 g ‒ 154.65 g depending on the mowing. High loss of blue alfalfa in the grass stand is due to its weak winter hardiness and the effect of low spring temperatures during the period of the beginning of regrowth. Thus, in the conditions of the European North of Russia among legume-cereal grass stands during the first two years of life the grass mixture of meadow clover and reed fescue has been identified as perspective. There has been noted a potential for regulation the feed nutritional value (protein, sugars and fiber content) by means of grass mixture components selection.

Effect of Biochar Treated Sewage Sludge on the Yield and Uptake of Copper and Zinc in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa)

One of the potential uses of treated sewage sludge is its application as a soil conditioner in agricultural fields. A factorial experiment was conducted to compare the main effects of biochar and sewage sludge and the interaction effect between biochar and sewage sludge on the plant uptake of copper and zinc and vegetable yield. The experiment was done in a green house and Chinese cabbage was used as the test crop. The experiment consisted of two factors namely, biochar and sewage sludge, each of which was applied to the soil at four levels. The copper and zinc concentration were determined in the laboratory based on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. A two-way analysis of variance test was performed, and the Tukey’s HSD test was used to separate statistically significant treatment means at 5% level of significance. Results showed a significant interaction effect between biochar and sewage sludge (p = 0.012) on the level of copper concentration in plant tissue. It was observed that sewage sludge had a significant effect on zinc concentration (p < 0.001) in the plant tissue while biochar did not show any significant effect. Further, results showed significant increase in dry matter yield of Chinese cabbage with increasing levels of biochar applied (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that biochar-treated sewage sludge has potential for use as a soil conditioner in vegetable production. However, it is recommended that care should be taken to avoid overuse by utilizing evaluated and treated sludge for soil amendment.

Biochar and zeolites did not improve phosphorus uptake or crop productivity in a field trial performed in an irrigated intensive farming system

AbstractSoil conditioners, such as biochar and zeolites, may play an important role in agriculture if they increase nutrient use efficiency, in particular, that of phosphorus (P), due to the depletion of phosphate rocks from which P‐fertilizers are manufactured. This study report results from a field trial, where maize was grown in summer and oats in winter, and from a pot experiment with maize. In the field, the use of biochar and zeolites, along with an untreated control in combination with various P rates (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg P2O5 ha−1), was tested. In the pot experiment, six treatments were included, biochar, zeolites and a non‐amended control with and without P application. Soil conditioners did not significantly influence tissue elemental composition or the dry matter (DM) yield of maize and oats in the field trial, nor the DM yield of maize in the pots. In the field trial, average maize DM yields varied from 14.3 to 15.6 t ha−1 and 11.8 to 13.7 t ha−1 and average oats DM yields from 2.1 to 2.4 t ha−1 and 3.0 to 3.2 t ha−1, respectively, in 2018 and 2019. Biochar only significantly increased total organic carbon (C); and zeolites the levels of potassium (K) in the soil, a result of their initial composition. P application increased DM yield of maize in the second year and oats in the two years of the field trial and also the DM yield of potted maize. In the pots, P application also influenced the concentration of P and several other nutrients in plant tissues and increased the labile soil P fraction. This study showed that the biochar and zeolite soil conditioners applied may not be suitable for short‐term increase of crop production in soil with high agricultural potential and under intensive irrigated farming systems.

Root- and foliar-applied silicon modifies C: N: P ratio and increases the nutritional efficiency of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings under water deficit.

Water deficit limits the establishment of sugarcane plants from pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS). Silicon (Si) can mitigate such stress, and your supply in plants with the active absorption mechanism is carried out through roots. However, foliar spraying has been practiced to supply Si in PSS production nurseries. Althought it is known that Si via roots can alter C: N: P ratios, nothing has been reported about its supply via foliar spraying, nor whether such changes interfere with structural nutrient use efficiency and with plant physiological responses. Thus, this study aimes to asses whether Si foliar spraying changes C: N: P ratios and increases the nutritional efficiency of PSS, as well as whether water deficiency interferes with such a relationships. For these purposes, three experiments were carried out. In experiment I, treatments consisted of two sugarcane cultivars (CTC 4 and RB 966928) and three Si supply forms (in nutrient solution via roots [SiR], via foliar spraying [SiL], and one control with the absence of Si [-Si]). The same Si supply forms were used in the other two experiments. In experiment II, a short-term water deficit was induced by polyethylene glycol addition to nutrient solution (-0.6 MPa) for three days. In experiment III, a long-term water deficit was imposed using levels of soil water retention capacity (70% [no water deficit], 50% [moderate water deficit], and 30% [severe water deficit] for 30 days. Our findings revealed that Si supply decreased C concentrations regardless of water conditions and that N and P concentrations varied with Si supply form and water deficit level. Moreover, root- and foliar-applied Si modified the C: N: P stoichiometry and increased C use efficiency in PSS, which thus increased N and P use efficiencies. Such an increased nutritional performance helped adjust physiological parameters and increase dry matter yield in PSS, both under water stress and non-stress conditions. Further, Si foliar spraying promoted structural effects on PSS regardless of water conditions, even if sugarcane has an active absorption via roots. In conclusion, foliar spraying can be used to supply Si in PSS production nurseries.

Increase in perennial forage yields driven by climate change, at Apukka Research Station, Rovaniemi, 1980-2017

The official variety trials at Rovaniemi, Finland (66.58°N, 26.01°E) in 1980–2017 show a substantial increase in dry matter yields (DMY) of timothy (Phleum pratense), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), coinciding with a 156 °Cd increase in the average growing season Tsum and a 461 °Cd decrease in the average winter frost sum for the same period. The annual DMY of timothy was 3128, 4668, 8385 and 9352 kg ha-1 in the periods (P) 1980–1989 (P1), 1990–1999 (P2), 2000–2009 (P3), and 2010–2017 (P4). The first cut yielded 1792, 2166, 4008 and 4473, and the second cut 1337, 2503, 4378 and 4879 kg ha-1, respectively. Yields of meadow fescue followed a similar pattern. The first cut was about ten days and the second cut about one week earlier on P4 than on P1. Shorter snow cover period, milder winters, higher live ground cover of timothy in spring, and higher temperature sum during the growing season were most likely responsible for the yield increase. The results indicate a strong impact of climate change on DMY of perennial forage crops in the north.

ASSESSMENT OF PHOSPHORUS AVAILABILITY FROM UNREACTIVE TOGO PHOSPHATE ROCK BY LEGUME AND CEREAL CROPS IN TWO GHANAIAN SOILS

Purpose: In recent years, phosphate rock (PR) for direct application has been tested in tropical acid soils as a potential alternative to conventional water-soluble P fertilizers like Single Superphosphate (SSP) and Triple Superphosphate (TSP). However, direct application of PR with low reactivity does not always give satisfactory results. Legume and cereal crops represent a strategy that can be used to solubilize P from some of these unreactive PRs. The objective of this study was to assess the availability of P from unreactive Togo Phosphate Rock (TPR) relative to TSP by six (6) crop species in two Ghanaian soils.
 Methodology: The study was conducted in the greenhouse of the Crop Science Department, University of Ghana. Three P rates, 0mg, 50mg and 100mg P of TPR and TSP were applied to a kilogram of soil per pot in the two soil series. Randomized Complete Block Design was used to do the analyses.
 Results/Findings: Application of TSP resulted in higher dry matter and P uptake irrespective of the soil type. Among the legumes, cowpea gave the highest dry matter yield. Fairly, a similar trend was obtained with the application of TPR. Among the cereals, the average P uptake by sorghum from TPR was the highest, followed by maize and millet in the Nzema soil. In the Adenta series, P uptake by maize was the highest, followed by sorghum and millet. Phosphorus (P) uptake by the cereals from TPR was generally better in the Adenta than the Nzema soil.
 Unique contribution to theories, practice and policy: Results show increasing the rate of TPR to 100mg P/pot resulted in an increase in dry matter yield and P uptake in both soils, but was inferior to 100mg P/pot TSP application. Consequently, the rate of application of TPR should always be high if farmers want the best from their investments. Again, the low relative agronomic effectiveness of TPR for all the crops, proved the low reactivity of the material and its subsequent low performance compared with the water-soluble P. The low reactivity and the high molar mass of PO43-/CO32- of the TPR will always make it difficult for P to be made available from the TPR despite the acidity of the soil, the high density of the crops and the ability of the tested crops to exude organic acids, which facilitate phosphorus availability from TPR, therefore making TPR unsuitable for direct application.

STUDIES ON PEANUT BRADYRHIZOBIUM BROTH INOCULA AS AFFECTED BY IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY IN NEWLY RECLAIMED DESERT SOILS.

Peanut being a leguminous crop is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The present investigation had been carried out in order to study and evaluate the efficiency of both liquid and solid inoculum of Bradyrhizobium ssp (N2-fixing bacteria) alone or with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR); Azotobacter chroococcum DSM 2286, as co-inoculation to reduce the negative impact of salinity of irrigation water (Nile Water (563 mg L-1) (W1), Groundwater artesian well, about 1000 mgL-1 (W2) and Groundwater artesian well about 2000 mgL-1 (W3), were collected from cultivated regions of Sadat city.) on peanut plants grown in cultivated sandy soils. Nodulation, fresh and dry weights of the growing plants and their elemental composition, mainly contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, zinc and Iron, yield, yield components as well as quality traits of the seed and oil of two peanut cultivars grown in sandy soils were determined. The biofertilizers inoculation treatments as follows: 1-Control treatments (without any biofertilizers inoculation). 2- Inoculation by solid Bradyrhizobium alone. 3-Inoculation by liquid Bradyrhizobium alone. 4- Co-inoculation: by solid Bradyrhizobium + PGPR (Azotobacter chrococoum), and 5- Co-inoculation: by liquid Bradyrhizobium fertilization + PGPR (Azotobacter chrococoum). It could be concluded that inoculation by liquid Bradyrhizobium + Azotobacter chroococcum seems to be the recommended treatment for producing optimum seed and straw yield and other parameters studied. Likewise it achieved the least production costs, also reducing the harmful effects of salinity of soil and/or irrigation water. These in turn reflect an increase in dry matter yield and after that pod, seed and straw yield. However, this approach could be explored as an effective strategy with least production costs to improve salt tolerance index in peanut plants under drip irrigation system in newly reclaimed soils in Egypt.

Chemical attributes of soil and production of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu

In the region of Canindeyu, milk production is one of the main forms of saving for small producers. However, the use of agricultural inputs is not practiced in the production of pastures, generally due to the lack of information on their importance, mainly fertilization. The objective of this work was to characterize the physical and chemical attributes of soils under Marandu grass and determine their productivity using different fertilizations. The study was conducted in four areas located in the district of Jasy Cany. In order to evaluate the chemical attributes, soil samples were collected before fertilization in the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers, using the levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, extractable P, base saturation, aluminum saturation, exchangeable acidity, Al3+, CTCpH7,0, pHCaCl2 and organic matter as chemical indicators of soil quality. For dry matter production and height of the pasture, a complete randomized block design was used and the treatments consisted of control (without fertilization), nitrogen fertilization (100 kg ha-1) and fertilization with N-P2O5-K2O (100-40-80 Kg ha-1). Based on the results the soils present a medium acidity, with no Al3+ toxicity, good base saturation, low MO and CTCpH 7.0, lack of Ca2+, K+ and extractable P and high Mg2+ content in relation to Ca2+. Fertilization with N and N-P2O5-K2O provided significant increases in dry matter yield and height of Marandu grass presenting high responsive capacity, and it is possible to conclude that fertilization is the fundamental factor for pasture productivity.