Equal Split Research Articles

Effect of Preceding Crop, Rates and Splitting of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Bread Wheat Production and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons to study the effect of preceding crop, rates and splitting of nitrogen fertilizer on bread wheat production and nitrogen use efficiency. The experiment was carried out in randomization complete block design (RCBD) using split-split plot arrangement with three replications. Cropping system (corn-clover-wheat and corn-fallow-wheat) were assigned in main-plots while nitrogen fertilizer rates (56.25, 75.00 and 93.75 kg N/fed) were allotted in sub-plots and splitting doses of nitrogen (two, three and four equal doses) were allocated in sub-sub plots. The obtained data showed that plant height, spike length, number of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike, seed index, grain yield, straw yield and nitrogen use efficiency were significantly affected by cropping sequence in favor of planting wheat after clover (fahl berseem) in the two growing seasons except nitrogen use efficiency in the first season. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates resulted in significant increase in all previous traits except nitrogen use efficiency trait which was decreased by increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates in both seasons. Moreover, splitting nitrogen rates into four equal doses significantly increased all studied traits as compared to three or two equal splits in the two growing seasons. Also, all interactions had a significant effect on all studied traits in both seasons. The highest mean values of grain yield (27.47 and 28.22 ard/fed in the first and second seasons, respectively) were obtained from the sequence of corn-clover-wheat when received highest nitrogen rate (93.75 kg N/fed) which was applied at four equal doses.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 7:35 AM–9:00 AM ePosters: P20. Morphometrics predicts overall survival in patients with lung, breast, prostate or myeloma spine metastases, independent of histology

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Creating valid, accurate, and reliable markers of overall survival in patients with cancer would lead to better treatment stratification for this population, whether chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or palliation. This concept is especially relevant to patients who have spinal metastasis, who will have the lowest rate of survival with stage IV disease. Select patients who undergo surgery for their metastasis may have improved overall survival, neurological outcome, and pain control. However, these procedures are resource intensive, delay the definitive oncologic treatments of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and potentially morbid, which can erase any survival benefit. Scoring systems have been developed to guide surgical decision making, but validity studies have shown inaccuracies in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality. New objective measurements of fitness for surgery would have the potential utility to help stratify and aid in the selection of better surgical candidates for spine metastases surgery. One of the hallmarks of human senescence is that of frailty, which has been defined as a decreased reserve to physiologic stressors. Frail patients are known to have increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality, but the direct measurement of frailty is impractical. Sarcopenia (lack of muscle mass) has been used successfully as a surrogate for frailty, and a growing body of literature seeks to use sarcopenia to predict outcomes after surgery. PURPOSE In this study, we applied the sarcopenia or frailty paradigm in patients with lung, breast, prostate, or myeloma metastasis to the spine to predict overall survival. Our hypothesis is that sarcopenia can be used as a unique predictor of overall mortality. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This study was conducted after Institutional Review Board approval (IRB 4370). From an index of patients who have undergone stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for metastatic spine cancer, we retrospectively identified lung, breast, prostate, or multiple myeloma patients from 2002 to 2012 at our hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was overall survival, which was calculated from the date of the patient's CT scan to date of death or last follow-up. METHODS Using the most recent CT scan available, the total area of each patient's psoas muscle at the L4 vertebral body was measured and recorded. Psoas muscle sizes were divided into tertiles (smallest, middle, and largest) according to average psoas area. Other demographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, number of levels, type of cancer, spine surgery, and SBRT target volume were also considered. The median survival time (in days) along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed using Kaplan–Meier estimates for all patients, as well as for the variables of interest. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were done to estimate the hazard ratios and test for differences in the variables of interest. RESULTS There were 417 patients with spinal metastases from lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, or multiple myeloma. The average age was 66.3, with equal split of males and females and 52% of patients Caucasian, 40% African American, and 4% other. The median survival for all patients was 173days (95% CI=140–204 days). Patient age, gender, ethnicity, number of levels treated with SBRT, spine surgery done, and SBRT target volume did not affect overall survival. Overall survival was associated with primary tumor histology, with multiple myeloma patients having a significantly longer survival compared to the other three groups (p .77 for all comparisons). Average psoas size significantly predicted overall survival. After multivariate analysis, patients in the 1st tertile (smallest muscle area) for average psoas size had significantly shorter survival as compared to the 3rd tertile (largest muscle area): 115days versus 298, hazard ratio 1.92 (95% CI=1.46–2.53), p CONCLUSIONS Sarcopenia predicts survival in patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma metastases to the spine. Survival prediction was irrespective of cancer histology. This information can assist in patient selection for surgery, as well as to tailor oncologic treatments.

Performance of Boro Rice in Response to Different Application Methods of Urea Fertilizer

N (nitrogen) is an essential element that is very complex to manage. Adjustment to different application methods of N containing urea can be a crucial option for effective management of N. The experiment was carried out at the BRAC Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Gazipur during 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 growing seasons with the objectives to find out the response of genotypes and different urea fertilizer application methods on growth parameters, yield and yield attributes of Boro rice. The experiment was arranged in split-plot design with three replications having two genotypes viz. (i) V1 = GSR I Sal Y 1242 and (ii) V2 = BRRI dhan28 placed in main plot and four urea application methods viz. (i) T1 = 220 kg ha-1 PU at three equal splits (ii) T2= 2% foliar spray @ 80 kg ha-1 (iii) T3= 75 kg N ha-1 USG (2.7 g) and (iv) T4= LCC based urea @ 67.5 kg ha-1 placed in sub plot. Results showed that genotypes had non-significant influence for most of the growth parameters and yield components, whereas urea fertilizer application methods had significant effect on all growth parameters, yield and yield attributes except plant height at 40 DAT and 50% flowering stage. . With different methods of urea application, T4 achieved significantly the highest value of all growth parameters, yield and yield components with total N content hill-1 (3.859%) and harvest index (50.70%) except filled grain panicle-1 (82.98) at harvest. Among the interactive treatments, the highest number of tillers m-2 (351.66), dry weight hill-1 (88.13 g), panicle number m-2 (340.83), panicle length (23.33 cm) and grain yield (7.32 t ha-1) was obtained at V1T4. So, in aspect of yield and other parameters, V1T4 was the best treatment under the present study.

More or Less Unmarried. The Impact of Legal Settings of Cohabitation on Labor Market Outcomes

We show how the legal settings of unmarried cohabitation affect partners' labor market outcomes. In Canada, cohabiting couples are automatically entitled to certain rights after a few years of cohabitation. In some provinces, ex-cohabiting partners can claim for alimony upon separation, in others they can claim for an equal split of all the assets acquired during the relationship. As legal settings of unmarried cohabitation differ across time, provinces and duration of the relationship, it provides a unique framework to analyze how different levels of commitment affect couples' decision regarding labor market supply. Using cross-provinces variation in the legal settings and minimum duration for eligibility, we show that unmarried cohabiting men increase their labor force supply when they become eligible to a more committed cohabitation regime, whereas women decrease theirs. Higher levels of commitment induce larger e ects on labor market outcomes.

The \u2018lived experience\u2019 of palliative care patients in one acute hospital setting \u2013 a qualitative study

BackgroundThere is limited understanding of the ‘lived experience’ of palliative care patient within the acute care setting. Failing to engage with and understand the views of patients and those close to them, has fundamental consequences for future health delivery. Understanding ‘patient experience’ can enable care providers to ensure services are responsive and adaptive to individual patient need.MethodsThe aim of this study was to explore the ‘lived experience’ of a group of patients with palliative care needs who had recently been in-patients in one acute hospital trust in the north-west of England.Qualitative research using narrative interviews was undertaken, and data was analysed using thematic analysis. A sample of 20 consecutive patients complying with the inclusion/exclusion criteria were recruited and interviewed.ResultsPatient Sample:Of the 20 patients recruited, there was a fairly equal gender split; all had a cancer diagnosis and the majority were white British, with an age range of 43–87 years.Findings from Interviews:Overall inpatient experience was viewed positively. Individual narratives illustrated compassionate and responsive care, with the patient at the centre. Acts of compassion appeared to be expressed through the ‘little things’ staff could do for patients, i.e., time to talk, time to care, humanity and comfort measures. AHSPCT involvement resulted in perceived improvements in pain control and holistic wellbeing. However, challenges were evident, particularly regarding over-stretched staff and resources, and modes of communication, which seemed to impact on patient experience.ConclusionsListening to patients’ experiences of care across the organisation provided a unique opportunity to impact upon delivery of care. Further research should focus on exploring issues such as: why some patients within the same organisation have a positive experience of care, while others may not; how do staff attitudes and behaviours impact on the experience of care; transitions of care from hospital to home, and the role of social networks.

Bargaining under time pressure from deadlines

We experimentally investigate the effect of time pressure from deadlines in a rich-context bargaining game with an induced reference point at the 2/3-1/3 distribution. Our results show that first proposals, concessions, and settlements are very similar for different time-pressure levels. Nevertheless, time pressure systematically influences the type of agreements reached: the likelihood of bargainers reaching agreements on the equal split is lower under time pressure. Furthermore, disagreements and last-moment-agreements (conditional on reaching an agreement) are more frequently observed under time pressure, though the effect on last-moment agreements disappears when disagreements are included in the analysis. Finally, the effect of time-pressure on the frequency of disagreements is stronger for those pairs with higher tension in first proposals.

What occurs in the other 20% of cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)? A single-institution qualitative study.

Despite recent advances in prophylaxis and management, 20% of patients who receive moderately to severely emetogenic chemotherapy continue to experience nausea and vomiting. Relying on patients' own words, this study sought to capture and characterize the lived experience with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for this important subgroup of patients. Solid tumor patients with a history of poorly controlled CINV provided informed consent and participated in a semi-structured interview, which was audio-recorded and transcribed. After data saturation, enrollment ceased, and inductive, qualitative analytic methods were employed. The median age of the 20 enrolled patients was 56years (range 27-83) with an equal gender split; half had gastrointestinal cancers. Two themes emerged. First, CINV is severe and multidimensional: "It's like shredding your muscles… It's doing it over and over again." This symptom complex has psychosocial implications: "Isolation is a big thing." Financial toxicity is also implicated: "I use [an antiemetic] when I feel like it is absolutely necessary because it is so expensive I cannot afford it anyway." The second theme is underreporting of symptoms. Patients seemed to accept N/V as part of treatment and were therefore less forthcoming: "God, if you're pumping poison in your system, you gotta expect some side effects." These vivid data should motivate investigators to continue conducting clinical trials CINV and should remind healthcare providers about the importance of patient education on the availability of therapy for breakthrough symptomatology.

Path selection of a spherical capsule in a microfluidic branched channel: towards the design of an enrichment device

We computationally study the motion of an initially spherical capsule flowing through a straight channel with an orthogonal lateral branch, using a three-dimensional immersed-boundary lattice-Boltzmann method. The capsule is enclosed by a strain-hardening membrane and contains an internal fluid of the same viscosity as the fluid in which it is suspended. Our primary focus is to study the influence of the geometry of the side branch on the capsule path selection. Specifically, we consider the case where the side branch cross-section is half that of the straight channel and study various bifurcation configurations, where the branch is rectangular or square, centred or not on the straight channel axis. The capsule is initially centred on the axis of the straight channel. We impose the flow rate split ratio between the two downstream branches of the bifurcation. We summarise the results obtained for different capsule-to-channel size ratios, flow Reynolds number $Re$ (based on the parent channel size and average flow speed) and capsule mechanical deformability (as measured by the capillary number) in phase diagrams giving the critical flow rate split ratio above which the capsule flows into the side branch. A major finding is that, at equal flow rate split between the two downstream branches, the capsule will enter a branch which is narrow in the spanwise direction, but will not enter a branch which is narrow in the flow direction. For $Re\leqslant 5$, this novel intriguing phenomenon primarily results from the background flow, which is strongly influenced by the side branch geometry. For higher values of $Re$, the capsule relative size and deformability also play specific roles in the path selection. The capsule trajectory does not always obey the classical Fung’s bifurcation law, which stipulates that a particle (in Fung’s case, a red blood cell) enters the bifurcation branch with the highest flow rate. We also consider the same branched channels operating under constant pressure drop conditions and show that such systems are difficult to control due to the transient additional pressure drop caused by the capsule. The present results obtained for dilute systems open new perspectives on the design of microfluidic systems, with optimal channel geometries and flow conditions to enrich cell and particle suspensions.

Corrigendum for Rojas etal. (2018) DOI: 10.1111/ele.12911.

Corrigendum for Rojas etal. (2018) DOI: 10.1111/ele.12911.

A Behavioural Theory of Allocation in the Dictator Game

This article attempts to explain the behaviour observed in the dictator game without explicitly assuming a utility function. Alternatively, I consider the repre- sentative behaviour of a society composed of heterogeneous individuals in terms of altruism and self-interest. Based on these two principles, I present an allocation that aggregates the society's preferences. The result depends crucially on the value of the resource under dispute for the dictator. Even if the value of the resource is extremely important for the dictator, the dictator cannot justify a share of the resource larger than 3/4 of the total. An allocation proposing more than this share of the resource cannot reach social consensus. On the other extreme, if the value of the resource is sufficiently unimportant for the society, an equal split of the resource emerges in the limit.

Equal split of gas–liquid two-phase flow at variable extraction ratio

In this work, a special distributor is proposed to distribute gas–liquid two-phase flow equally at different extraction ratio. A swirl vane is inserted at the entrance to achieve uniform swirling annular flow and ensure all the splitting holes have identical inlet conditions. A balance pipe is also applied to balance the pressure difference between the sample fluid loop and main fluid loop. Experiments were conducted in an air–water two-phase flow loop. The effect of gas and liquid superficial velocity, inlet flow pattern and splitting hole’s diameter were investigated. The results demonstrate that the extraction ratio is only dependent on the ratio of sample fluid hole number to that of main fluid. The fraction of gas and liquid taken off is not influenced by flow gas and liquid velocity, inlet flow pattern and size of the splitting hole. The desired extraction ratio can be obtained by regulating the number of sample fluid holes.

Smartphone apps for improving medication adherence in hypertension: patients' perspectives.

PurposeDigital interventions, such as smartphone applications (apps), are becoming an increasingly common way to support medication adherence and self-management in chronic conditions. It is important to investigate how patients feel about and engage with these technologies. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ perspectives on smartphone apps to improve medication adherence in hypertension.MethodsThis was a qualitative study based in the West of Ireland. Twenty-four patients with hypertension were purposively sampled and engaged in focus groups. Thematic analysis on the data was carried out.ResultsParticipants ranged in age from 50 to 83 years (M=65 years) with an equal split between men and women. Three major themes were identified in relation to patients’ perspectives on smartphone apps to improve medication adherence in hypertension: “development of digital competence,” “rules of engagement,” and “sustainability” of these technologies.ConclusionThese data showed that patients can identify the benefits of a medication reminder and recognize that self-monitoring their blood pressure could be empowering in terms of their understanding of the condition and interactions with their general practitioners. However, the data also revealed that there are concerns about increasing health-related anxiety and doubts about the sustainability of this technology over time. This suggests that the current patient perspective of smartphone apps might be best characterized by “ambivalence.”

Abstract P1-06-04: Simplified histological grading of breast carcinoma – potential for improved concordance and consistency in breast cancer grading?

Abstract Histological grade remains an independent predictor of outcome for invasive breast cancer. The internationally accepted standard grading system is the Elston and Ellis grading system based on a local hospital (Nottingham) cohort treated between 1951-1973. Histological grade, with nodal status, tumour size and receptor measurements (ER, PgR, HER2) give important information even in the context of current molecular testing for breast cancer. In 2009 we proposed a simplified approach to the EE system based on evidence from another hospital series (Thomas et al Histopathology 2009 DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2009.03429.x). Here we report a second validation of this approach using a large phase III clinical trial cohort the Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant multicentre Trial. A single pathologist (EM) regraded over 4200 cases using a single H&E slide from the TEAM pathology study. Individual scores (1-3) were provided for tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic count and summed to provide the EE score (3-9) resulting in a final grade of 1, 2 or 3 for each case. As previously reported the Simplified Binary Scoring system (SBS) reorganizes this data such that each component is given a score of 1 or 2 with a sum ranging from 3-6. In the current analysis we compared the impact of this revised grading system on patient outcome. Of 4264 centrally regraded tumours in the TEAM pathology cohort, EE scores for tubular formation were 1 in 102 cases (2.4%), 2 in 503 cases (11.8%) and 3 in 3659 (85.8%). For nuclear pleomorphism only 2 cases were EE score 1 (0.05%), 3117 were score 2 (73.1%) and 1146 score 3 (26.9%). For Mitotic count 3423 (80.3%) were scored 1, 707 (16.6%) scored 2 and 134 scored 3 using the EE system. As previously observed, most/all EE categories could be captured using a simple binary system (SBS, see Table 1). Table 1 EE Grade SBS SCORE12335460043239705068217600618 GG Score EE GradeLowHigh 13327819.02%21377132248.98%35751790.07% GG Score SBS SCORELowHigh 33508419.35%4120284741.34%515947474.88%65751289.98% In a comparison between conventional grading and molecular (using a Genomic-Grade signature) we observed the predicted equal split of EE Grade 2 cases into GG high/versus low. For the SBS score the higher scores were enriched for GG High cases. We show a novel grading system can provides a potentially simple and more reproducible approach to immunohistochemical grading. Comparisons with molecular grading approaches may suggest improved concordance between novel grading approaches and molecular systems. Further comparisons with outcome and molecular signatures will be presented. Citation Format: Bartlett JMS, Thomas J, Mallon E, Piper T, Bayani J, Hasenburg A, Kieback DG, Markopoulos C, Dirix L, Seynaeve C, van de Velde CJH, Rea DW. Simplified histological grading of breast carcinoma – potential for improved concordance and consistency in breast cancer grading? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-06-04.

Design and development of vivaldi antenna array for wind profiler RADAR application

AbstractWind velocity profile are required for the study of atmospheric phenomena and weather forecasting. Atmospheric radar is a remote sensing instruments, which can observe the air motion of the troposphere with high degrees of accuracy. Wind Profile Radar (WPR) can provide the three dimensional profile of wind velocities and wind direction of each layer of atmosphere in real time and has become crucial to the world today. In this article, the Vivaldi antenna array is designed and developed for WPR that would operate at center frequency of 1.35 GHz and the VSWR <2 over frequency range from 1.25 to 1.45 GHz and also to design and develop 1:4 equal Split Wilkinson Power divider. The microstrip design is optimized and utilized in a corporate‐feeding network for an antenna array. The return loss, coupling, and isolation between the ports of power divider are evaluated to determine the design. Antenna array and the power divider network are mounted back to back on Aluminum plate. VSWR <2 over the band and isolation between outputs ports of power divider are critical design requirements.

Effect of deep placement of N fertilizers on nitrogen use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under flooded condition

An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during boro season of 2016 to evaluate the effect of deep placement of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on N use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under continuous flooded condition. The soil was silt loam in texture having pH 6.27, organic matter content 1.95%, total N 0.136%, available P 3.16 ppm, exchangeable K 0.095 me%, available S 10.5 ppm and EC 348 μS cm-1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 [Control], T2 [Prilled Urea, 130 kg N ha-1] , T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1], T4 [USG, 104 kg N ha-1], T5 [USG, 78 kg N ha-1], T6 [NPK briquette , 129 kg N ha-1], T7 [NPK briquette, 102 kg N ha-1] and T8 [NPK briquette, 78 kg N ha-1]. All the treatments except T6, T7 and T8 received 25 kg P and 64 kg K ha-1 as TSP and MoP, respectively. In T6, T7 and T8 treatments, P and K were supplied from NPK briquettes. Prilled urea was applied in three equal splits. USG and NPK briquettes were applied at 10 DAT and were placed at 8-10 cm depth between four hills at every alternate row. The results demonstrate that all the yield components except 1000-grain weight and yields of BRRI dhan29 responded significantly to the deep placement of N in the form of USG and NPK briquettes under continuous flooded condition. The highest grain yield of 6561 kg ha-1 was recorded in T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1] which was statistically similar to that ofT4 [USG, 104 kg N ha-1].The highest straw yield of 6876 kg ha-1 was obtained in T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1]. The lowest grain yield (3094 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3364 kg ha-1) were found for T1 (Control). The deep placement of USG and NPK briquettes enhanced the recovery of applied N and N use efficiency in comparison with the broadcast application of PU. The highest value of NUE (32.05 kg grain increase per kg N applied) was obtained in T5 [USG, 78 kg N ha-1] followed by T4 [30.75 kg grain increase per kg N applied) and the lowest value was found in T8 [130 kg N ha-1 from PU]. Based on yield, N use efficiency and cost-benefit analysis, an application of 104 kg N ha-1 as USG can be recommended as the best treatment for achieving satisfactory yield of boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) at BAU farm and at adjacent areas under AEZ 9 (Old Brahmaputra Floodplain).Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 454-461

Filtering Gysel power divider with arbitrary power splitting ratio

AbstractA novel filtering Gysel power divider (PD) structure based on coupled lines is presented to realize arbitrary power splitting ratio and filtering response. The proposed filtering PD consists of three parallel‐coupled lines, two short‐circuited stubs, two stepped impedance stubs and two grounded isolation resistors. Two transmission zeros (TZs) are introduced by the stepped impedance stubs, which can greatly improve the passband selectivity and out‐of‐band rejection performances. Theoretically, closed‐form equations for the proposed structure are derived based on even‐odd mode method. For verification, two filtering Gysel PDs with equal and unequal power splitting ratios ( ) are designed and experimentally demonstrated in this paper.

Ultimatum Game Bargaining in a Partially Directed Search Market

We investigate a partially directed search market where buyers search for sellers and then final prices are determined by ultimatum game bargaining. In the search stage of this game, sellers post intervals of possible surplus splits to attract buyers and then buyers approach one seller from whom they attempt to purchase. Our main goal is to investigate the interaction between bargaining and competition in the preliminary search stage. The main results confirm that behavior in the ultimatum game is consistent with past findings (i.e., fairness matters), and the main effect on search is to drive up the posted lower bounds for buyer surplus above the competitive equilibrium (towards more equal splits). Our main treatment variable is the number of buyers in the market, and when the number of buyers is increased, lower bounds and ultimatum offers to buyers decrease. This is consistent with fairness perceptions being influenced by competition.

Effect of Varied Irrigation Scheduling with Levels and Times of Nitrogen Application on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Aerobic Rice

More rice needs to be produced with lesser water to feed the increasing human population. Judicious water management practices and appropriate water saving technologies in rice cultivation are in need in the coming decades. Aerobic rice is one of water saving method of rice cultivation. The field experiment was conducted during Summer season of February 2018 to May 2018 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, to find out the effect of irrigation schedules with varied doses and time of nitrogen application on yield of aerobic rice. Irrigation scheduling of IW/CPE (Irrigation Water/Cumulative Pan Evaporation) 1.0 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE 1.2 up to dough stage recorded higher yield attributes viz., number of panicles hill-1 (9.1), number of filled grains panicle-1 (87.9), test weight (15.3 g), grain yield (4462 kg·ha-1), straw yield (5977 kg·ha-1). However, the highest water use efficiency (6.8 kg·ha-1·mm-1) was recorded in the treatment of IW/CPE 1.0 throughout the crop growth period. Lower yield attributes, yield and water use efficiency were recorded with irrigation scheduling of IW/CPE 0.8 throughout the growth stage. Application of nitrogen at 150 kg·ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS (Days after sowing) recorded higher yield attributes viz., number of panicles hill-1 (9.3), number of filled grains panicle-1 (90.5), test weight (15.4 g), grain yield (4746 kg·ha-1), straw yield (6258 kg·ha-1) and WUE (7.5 kg·ha-1·mm-1). Application of nitrogen 100 kg·ha-1 in 4 equal splits at 20, 40, 60 and 80 DAS recorded lower yield attributes, yield and water use efficiency. The interaction effect between irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management on yield was significant. The combination of IW/CPE 1.0 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE 1.2 up to dough stage along with application of nitrogen at 150 kg·ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS significantly produced higher number of panicles hill-1 (10.7), grain yield of 5419 kg·ha-1 and straw yield of 6906 kg·ha-1. However, IW/CPE 1.0 throughout the growth period along with application of nitrogen at 150 kg·ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS registered the highest water use efficiency (8.4 kg·ha-1·mm-1) in aerobic rice.

Influence of Irrigation Scheduling with Levels and Times of Nitrogen Application on Root Growth of Aerobic Rice

Aerobic rice is one of the alternative methods for saving water, energy, labour, time and reduced methane gas in rice production ecosystem. The field experimental trial was conducted during summer 2018 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. Irrigation scheduling based on different IW/CPE (Irrigation Water/Cumulative Pan Evaporation) ratios and different doses along with various spilt applications of nitrogen were experimented. Results of field experiment indicated that irrigation scheduling at IW/CPE of 0.8 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE of 1.0 up to dough stage recorded the highest root length of 13.0 cm at active tillering and 18.8 cm at flowering stage. But, irrigating the aerobic rice at IW/CPE of 1.0 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE of 1.2 up to dough stage recorded the highest root volume (16.9, 27.1 cc·hill-1) and root dry weight (6.1, 12.9 g·hill-1) at active tillering and flowering stage. Application of nitrogen at 150 kg·ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS (Days after sowing) recorded the highest root length of 13.5 cm, root volume of 17.6 cc·hill-1 and root dry weight of 6.4 g·hill-1 at active tillering stage and root length of 19.4 cm, root volume of 27.6 cc·hill-1 and root dry weight of 14.4 g·hill-1 at flowering stage. The interaction effect of irrigation and nitrogen significantly influenced the root growth. Irrigation at IW/CPE of 0.8 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE of 1.0 up to dough stage along with 150 kg N ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS significantly enhanced the root length (15.7, 23.6 cm) at active tillering and flowering stage. However, irrigation scheduling at IW/CPE of 1.0 up to panicle initiation stage and thereafter IW/CPE of 1.2 up to dough stage along with application of N 150 kg·ha-1 in 5 equal splits at 20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 DAS registered the highest root volume (20.3, 32.8 cc·hill-1) and root dry weight (8.3, 16.4 g·hill-1) at active tillering and flowering stage.

Efficacy of Deep Placement of Nitrogen Fertilizers on N Use Efficiency and Yield of Boro Rice (cv. BRRI Dhan29)

The efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in rice culture is low due to their losses in different ways. An experiment was, therefore, conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during boro season of 2016 to evaluate the effect of deep placement of N fertilizers on N use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) condition. The soil was silt loam in texture having pH 6.07, organic matter content 1.10%, total N 0.055%, available P 3.6 ppm, exchangeable K 0.22 me% and available S 11.76 ppm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were eight treatment combinations including T1 (Control), T2 (PU, 130 kg N/ha), T3 (USG, 130 kg N/ha), T4 (USG, 104 kg N/ha), T5 (USG, 78 kg N/ha), T6 (NPK briquette, 129 kg N/ha) and T7 (NPK briquette, 102 kg/ha) and T8 (NPK briquette, 78 kg N/ha). All the treatments except T6, T7 and T8 received 25 kg P and 64 kg K /ha as TSP and MoP, respectively. Treatments T6, T7, T8 received NPK briquette fertilizer. Prilled urea (PU) was applied in three equal splits. Urea super granule (USG) and NPK briquettes were applied at 10 day after transplanting (DAT) and the briquettes were placed at 8-10 cm depth in the centre of four hills in alternate rows. The results demonstrate that all the yield components except 1000-grain weight responded significantly to the deep placement of N fertilizers in the form of USG and NPK briquette. The grain and straw yields of BRRI dhan29 were also influenced significantly due to deep placement of N fertilizers under AWD condition. The highest grain yield (6163 kg/ha) was recorded for T3 [USG, 130 kg N/ha) which was statistically similar with T4 (USG, 104 kg N/ha). The highest straw yield (6415 kg /ha) was also found in T3 [USG, 130 kg N/ha]. The lowest grain yield (3266 kg/ha) and straw yield (3637 kg/ha) were found in T1 (Control). The N uptake by BRRI dhan29, N use efficiency and apparent N recovery also showed significant response to the application of PU, USG and NPK briquettes. The maximum N use efficiency of 28.88% was noted in T5 followed by T4 with the value of 26.46% and the minimum value of 17.55% was observed in T2. The results revealed that the deep placement of N fertilizers accelerated the N uptake, N recovery and N use efficiency by BRRI dhan29. Based on grain yield and cost-benefit analysis, it can be concluded that application of 130 kg N/ha as USG is useful for the profitable cultivation of boro rice, BRRI dhan29.