Wheat Fertilizer Research Articles

Enhanced climate change resilience on wheat anther morphology using optimized deep learning techniques.

Wheat commands attention due to its significant impact on culture, nutrition, the economy, and the guarantee of food security. The anticipated rise in temperatures resulting from climate change is a key factor contributing to food insecurity, as it markedly reduces wheat harvests. Terminal heat stress mostly affects spike fertility in wheat, specifically influencing pollen fertility and anther morphology. This research especially focuses on the shape of anthers and examines the effects of heat stress. The DinoLite Microscope's high-resolution images are used to measure the length and width of wheat anthers. By using object identification techniques, the research accurately measures the length and width of each anther in images, offering valuable insights into the differences between various wheat varieties. Furthermore, Deep Learning (DL) methodologies are utilized to enhance agriculture, specifically employing record categorization to advance plant breeding management. Given the ongoing challenges in agriculture, there is a belief that incorporating the latest technologies is crucial. The primary objective of this study is to explore how Deep Learning algorithms can be beneficial in categorizing agricultural records, particularly in monitoring and identifying variations in spring wheat germplasm. Various Deep Learning algorithms, including Convolution Neural Network (CNN), LeNet, and Inception-V3 are implemented to classify the records and extract various patterns. LeNet demonstrates optimized accuracy in classifying the records, outperforming CNN by 52% and Inception-V3 by 70%. Moreover, Precision, Recall, and F1 Measure are utilized to ascertain accuracy levels. The investigation also enhances our comprehension of the distinct roles played by various genes in abiotic stress tolerance among diverse wheat varieties. The outcomes of the research hold the potential to transform agricultural practices by introducing a more effective, data-driven approach to plant breeding management.

The effect of T. aestivum chromosomes 1A and 1D on fertility of alloplasmic recombinant (H. vulgare)-T. aestivum lines depending on cytonuclear compatibility.

The effect of T. aestivum L. chromosomes 1A and 1D on fertility of recombinant bread wheat allolines of the same origin carrying the cytoplasm of barley H. vulgare L. and different levels of cytonuclear compatibility was studied. Alloline L-56 included mainly fully sterile (FS) and partially sterile (PS) plants, alloline L-57 included partially fertile (PF) plants and line L-58 included fertile (F) ones. Analysis of morphobiological traits and pollen painting indicated complete or partial male sterility in plants of allolines L-56 and L-57. To differentiate genotypes with cytonuclear coadaptation and genotypes with cytonuclear incompatibility, PCR analysis of the 18S/5S mitochondrial (mt) repeat was performed. Heteroplasmy (simultaneous presence of barley and wheat mtDNA copies) was found in FS, PS, PF and some F plants, which was associated with a violation of cytonuclear compatibility. Wheat-type homoplasmy (hm) was detected in the majority of the fertile plants, which was associated with cytonuclear coadaptation. The allolines used as maternal genotypes were crossed with wheat-rye substitution lines 1R(1A) and 1R(1D). In F1, all plants of PF×1R(1A) and PF×1R(1D) combinations were fertile, and in F2, a segregation close to 3 (fertile) : 1 (sterile) was observed. These results showed for the first time that chromosomes 1A and 1D carry one dominant Rf gene, which controls the restoration of male fertility of bread wheat carrying the cytoplasm of H. vulgare. All plants of F1 combinations FS×1R(1A), FS×1R(1D), PS×1R(1A), PS×1R(1D) were sterile, which indicates that a single dose of genes localized on wheat chromosomes 1A or 1D is not enough to restore male fertility in FS and PS plants. All plants of hybrid combinations F(hm)×1R(1A) and F(hm)×1R(1D) in both F1 and F2 were fertile, that is, fertility of allolines with cytonuclear coadaptation does not depend on wheat chromosomes 1A and 1D.

Zinc supply effects on wheat production in a low precipitation zone

AbstractZinc (Zn) fertilization of hard red and soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is uncommon in the low precipitation zone of the inland Pacific Northwest. It is uncommon because there have been no indications of deficiency. Soil test data, however, show Zn levels have been declining over time. We conducted a four‐site‐year experiment to evaluate effects of fertilization on early‐season tissue Zn concentration (TZC), dry matter accumulation (DMA), Zn uptake (ZNU), the grain test weight (TWT), protein content (PRO), and yield (YLD) of two regionally adapted cultivars. Planting occurred late in September or early in October. Zinc fertilizer, placed with the seed while planting, was applied at rates of 0 and 5 kg Zn ha−1. Application of 5 kg Zn ha−1 increased TZC and ZNU at one of two sites. There were corresponding trends of increased DMA and improved YLD. Response to fertilization occurred on a relatively shallow soil that had a diethylenetriamine‐pentaacidic acid–extractable Zn test level of 0.3 mg kg−1.

Effect of Various Fertilizer Systems on the Productivity of Spring Wheat in a Long-Term Stationary Experiment

The results of observations of the reaction of plants to the use of 6 fertilizer systems tested for 24 years in repeated sowing of spring soft wheat after stubble are presented. Visual and phenological observations of plants revealed the features of their growth and development on unfertilized and fertilized backgrounds. The determination of the contamination of the crop revealed the effect of fertilizers on the proportion of wheat and weeds in the sheaf mass during the formation phase of the grain. In most of the years of this experience, fertilizers did not increase the contamination of crops, only for 5 out of 18 years such a negative effect was noted. The indicators of the structure of the wheat harvest (the number of ears per 1 m2, earliness, and the weight of 1000 grains) improved with the use of fertilizers, especially in years with sufficient moisture. The gluten content in grain and flour when fertilizing in doses of N40–60 without P20 and against its background increased significantly, increasing the frequency of years with grade 3 wheat quality. An agrotechnical and economic assessment of 6 permanent wheat fertilizer systems after stubble identified 4 options with a payback rate close to obtaining 10 kg of grain per 1 kg of the active ingredient of fertilizers.

N Fertilizer in Combination with Straw Improves Soil Physicochemical Properties and Crop Productivity in Sub-Humid, Drought-Prone Areas

Straw returning may be an efficient strategy to maintain agricultural sustainability. However, which straw returning strategy can effectively improve soil properties and crop yield remain unclear. A five-year (2011–2016) field experiment in sub-humid, drought-prone areas of northwestern China with uneven rainfall distribution and irrigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer without straw mulching (CK), with regular straw mulching (LSM), and with ammoniated straw plowing (ALSP) on soil water, soil aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and water use efficiency (WUE) in an annual winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system. The results demonstrate that ALSP had a greater soil water content than CK in the 0–60 cm soil layer. ALSP also had substantially more soil water than LSM in the 0–100 cm layer during the wet year (2011–2012) and two dry years (2014–2015 and 2015–2016). In the normal years (2012–2013 and 2013–2014), the soil water content in ALSP was significantly lower than in LSM in the 0–20 cm soil layer. ALSP was better able to alleviate soil drought in dry years and excessive humidity in wet years. Compared to CK, SOC in the 0–20 cm soil layer in 2016 increased by 8.3% in LSM and 11.7% in ALSP, and TN in the upper soil increased by 6.6% in LSM and 10.1% in ALSP. The equivalent wheat yield and WUE increased in ALSP by 15.6% and 17.5%, respectively, relative to CK, and by 6.79% and 5.97%, respectively, relative to LSM. Thus, we concluded that plowing ammoniated straw with N fertilization is a promising strategy for improving soil fertility and crop productivity in winter wheat–summer maize rotation systems in the sub-humid, drought-prone areas of northwestern China.

Effect of integrated vermicompost and chemical nitrogen fertilizer for productivity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The study was conducted at Horo district on six (6) farmers’ fields to investigate the effect of integrated vermicompost and chemical nitrogen fertilizer for bread wheat and the soil nutrient content. The treatments consist of without any fertilizer, recommended chemical NP fertilizer, 100% N equivalent vermicompost + recommended P2O5, 75% N equivalent Vermicompost + 25% recommended N + recommended P2O5, 50% equivalent Vermicompost + 50% recommended N + recommended P2O5 and 25% equivalent Vermicompost + 75% recommended N + recommended P2O5. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Dendea seed variety with a rate of 150 Kg ha-1 was used for the trial. ANOVA analysis for after harvesting soil parameters showed significant (P<0.05) differences among treatments for available phosphorus, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity and cations exchange capacity while pH and exchangeable Ca and Mg were not statistically significant among the treatments. ANOVA showed that the treatments significantly influenced all collected yield and yield related parameters of the crop. Relatively the highest crop yield and yield related traits were obtained from T2 (recommended chemical fertilizer) while the lowest was from control (without fertilizer). The highest net income (91971.70 birr/ha) was obtained from 25% equivalence vermicompost + 75% recommended N + recommended P2O5. To have more confidence in the technology; it should be verified in the same area with the same management procedure.

Balancing productivity and carbon emissions: the potential for carbon reduction in wheat fertilization practices in China

Balancing productivity and carbon emissions: the potential for carbon reduction in wheat fertilization practices in China

Effect of agricultural management system (“cash crop”, “livestock” and “climate optimized”) on nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions

AbstractThe study aimed to measure soil-atmosphere N2O fluxes and their controlling factors, as well as NH3 emissions and yields for two soils (silt loam and clay loam) in three management systems over two years under subsequent wheat and maize cultivation. The management systems were characterized as follows: (1) cash crop (C) with mineral fertilizer and conventional tillage; (2) livestock (L) with biogas residue fertilization and its incorporation prior to sowing in maize and reduced tillage; and (3) climate optimized (O) with minimum tillage, 8-year crop rotation, with biogas residue fertilization, in maize without incorporation in clay loam soil or incorporation by strip-tillage prior to seeding in silt loam soil. Stable isotope ratios of N2O and mineral N were determined to identify N2O processes. Within the organically fertilized maize treatments, cumulative N2O fluxes were highest in the O-system treatments of both sites (4.0 to 9.4 kg N ha− 1 a− 1), i.e. more than twice as high as in the L-system (1.5 to 3.1 kg N ha− 1 a− 1). Below root-strip till fertilizer application did not enhance N2O fluxes. Fluxes with mineral fertilization of wheat (1.1 to 3.1 kg N ha− 1 a− 1) were not different from those with organic fertilization. Isotopic values of emitted N2O revealed that bacterial denitrification dominated most of the peak flux events, while the N2O/(N2 + N2O) ratio of denitrification was mostly between 0.1 and 0.5. It can be concluded that, contrary to the intention to lower greenhouse gas fluxes by the O-system management, the highest N2O fluxes occurred in the O-system without biogas digestate incorporation in maize. With respect to NH3 fluxes, we could confirm that the application of digestate application in growing crops without incorporation or late incorporation in fertilization before sowing induces high fluxes. The beneficial aspects of the O-system including more stable soil structure and resource conservation, are thus potentially counteracted by increased N2O and NH3 emissions.

Влияние новых видов обогащенных удобрений на продуктивность культур и агрохимические свойства почв

The effect and aftereffect of new types of enriched sulfur-containing fertilizers on the productivity of spring wheat of the Novosibirskaya 31 variety and peas of the Radomir variety, as well as the agrochemical properties of leached chernozem and agro-gray soil of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe, characterized by an acute deficiency of mobile sulfur, were studied. It was found that the application of fertilizers containing sulfur statistically significantly increased the increase in productivity of pea biomass in the year of application. With the aftereffect of spring wheat, an increase in productivity was noted on leached chernozem; the aftereffect of fertilizers for wheat on agro-gray soil was not effective. The application of enriched fertilizers did not affect the acid-base balance of soils. In chernozem leached in all fertilized variants, the supply of mineral forms of nitrogen is high, while the content of mobile sulfur increases. The supply of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen in agro-gray soil is low, and the amount of mobile sulfur does not increase. Keywords: SULFUR, ENRICHED FERTILIZERS, SPRING WHEAT, PEAS, AGROCHEMICAL INDICATORS, PRODUCTIVITY, AGROGY SOIL, LEACHED CHERNOZEM

Characterization and validation of TaAGL66, a gene related to fertility conversion of wheat in the presence of Aegilops kotschyi cytoplasm.

TaAGL66, a MADS-box transcription factor highly expressed in fertile anthers of KTM3315A, regulates anther and/or pollen development, as well as male fertility in wheat with Aegilops kotschyi cytoplasm. Male sterility, as a string of sophisticated biological processes in higher plants, is commonly regulated by transcription factors (TFs). Among them, MADS-box TFs are mainly participated in the processes of floral organ formation and pollen development, which are tightly related to male sterility, but they have been little studied in the reproductive development in wheat. In our study, TaAGL66, a gene that was specifically expressed in spikes and highly expressed in fertile anthers, was identified by RNA sequencing and the expression profiles data of these genes, and qRT-PCR analyses, which was localized to the nucleus. Silencing of TaAGL66 under fertility condition in KTM3315A, a thermo-sensitive male sterile line with Ae. kotschyi cytoplasm, displayed severe fertility reduction, abnormal anther dehiscence, defective pollen development, decreased viability, and low seed-setting. It can be concluded that TaAGL66 plays an important role in wheat pollen development in the presence of Ae. kotschyi cytoplasm, providing new insights into the utilization of male sterility.

Nanotechnology in Agriculture: Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles as a Micronutrient Fertilizer for Wheat.

Limited research has focused on nanoparticle (NP) applications' impact on edible wheat parts in a field environment. Here, we studied the nutritional quality of edible parts of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with a field experiment by spraying MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Wheat was foliar sprayed with 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L composite manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) NPs during 220 d of a growth period. Ionic controls were prepared using the conventional counterparts (MnSO4·H2O and FeSO4·7H2O) to compare with the 100 mg/L MnFe2O4 NPs. After three consecutive foliar applications, nanoparticles demonstrated a substantial elevation in grain yield and harvest index, exhibiting a noteworthy increase to 5.0 ± 0.12 t/ha and 0.46 ± 0.001 in the 100 mg/L NP dose, respectively, concomitant with a 14% enhancement in the grain number per spike. Fe, Mn, and Ca content in grain increased to 77 ± 2.7 mg/kg, 119 ± 2.8 mg/kg, and 0.32 ± 7.9 g/kg in the 100 mg/L NPs, respectively. Compared to the ion treatment, the 100 mg/L NP treatments notably boosts wheat grain crude protein content (from 13 ± 0.79% to 15 ± 0.58%) and effectively lowers PA/Fe levels (from 11 ± 0.7 to 9.3 ± 0.5), thereby improving Fe bioavailability. The VSM results exhibited a slight superparamagnetic behavior, whereas the grains and stems exhibited diamagnetic behavior. The results indicate that the nanomaterial did not accumulate in the grains, suggesting its suitability as an Fe and Mn-rich fertilizer in agriculture. Above all, the foliar application of nanocomposites increased the concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Ca in wheat grains, accompanied by a significant enhancement in grain yield. Therefore, the research results indicate that the foliar application of MnFe2O4 NPs can positively regulate wheat grains' nutritional quality and yield.

Fertilization of wheat with liquid organic fertilizers under the conditions of a pot vegetation experiment

Vegetation experiment was carried out to determine the efficiency of liquid organic fertilizers application in the initial phases of wheat development. Three types of liquid organic fertilizer with single and double application (in 14 days) were tested -”Extra force”, “Zinovii Corn” and “Zinovii Oil”. All studied fertilizers application have a positive results. Compared to the control treatment, tested organic fertilizers show good results with one application and significantly better results with two applications. “Extra force” and “Zinovii Corn” when applied twice had double effect on yields and height of wheat plants.

Sustainable management strategies for balancing crop yield, water use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions

CONTEXTTo ensure food security in the face of climate change, it is crucial to use effective agricultural management practices that produce the triangular win-win for water, crops, and environments. OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the sustainable management measures for balancing crop yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China during 1981–2020. METHODSThe study selected the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region of China as the research area, where there were sharp contradictions among water shortage, food security and polluted environment. Four irrigation treatments and four fertilization treatments were set referring to the local cultivated experiences. The daily dynamic changes in crop yield, WUE and GHG emissions were simulated by optimized Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe irrigations had positive impacts on crop yield and WUE in BTH region. The irrigation amount's rise caused a gradual augmentation in the total yield of winter wheat and summer maize from 1981 to 2020.The highest total yield was achieved under W4 irrigation treatment (320 mm water for winter wheat and 60 mm water for summer maize), with an annual mean of 24,579.2 kg·ha−1. The annual average WUE under the W3 irrigation treatment (240 mm water for winter wheat) was the highest, with an average of 13.9 kg·ha−1·mm−1. However, extensive fertilization exacerbated soil GHG emissions. The soil GHG emissions were found to be significant increase as the input amount of fertilization. The FI fertilization measure (no fertilization) was assessed to have the least impact on the environment, with an average GHG emissions of 0.4 Mg·CO2-eq·ha−1. The optimal goals of high yield, high WUE and low GHG emissions were achieved by choosing effective combination practices of water and nitrogen management. Overall, the W3 irrigation and F3 fertilization (180 kg/ha fertilizer for winter wheat and 120 kg/ha fertilizer for summer maize.) treatments had the maximum water-fertilizer production indexes in the BTH region. SIGNIFICANCEThis study highlights the importance of agricultural management measures for guaranteeing food security and environmental sustainability at the same time under climate change.

Assessing microbially mediated vivianite as a novel phosphorus and iron fertilizer

BackgroundMicroorganisms can transform phosphorus (P)-enriched iron (Fe)-oxide sludge into products with higher P concentration or can directly promote the precipitation of P-rich compounds from water. However, there is no evidence of these products’ efficiency as fertilizers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of microbially mediated vivianite (biovivianite) as P and Fe fertilizer for durum wheat and white lupin, respectively.ResultsTo this end, two completely randomized block experiments were conducted with wheat (phosphorus (P) experiment) and white lupin (iron (Fe) experiment). The P and Fe sources used included biovivianite produced by microbial reduction of P-containing ferrihydrite at pH 6.5 (VivInsol6.5) and pH 7.0 (VivInsol7.0), biovivianite produced with soluble Fe(III) citrate (C6H5FeO7) in the presence of soluble phosphate at pH 7 (VivSol), and vivianite from a commercial company (ComViv). Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) was used as a reference fertilizer in the P experiment, and Fe-EDDHA and Fe(II)-sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O) were used in the Fe experiment. Total P uptake by wheat plants from the product dominated by vivianite and phosphate-green rust (VivSol) was not significantly different from KH2PO4. The relative P use efficiency, i.e., the equivalence in terms of P recovery of VivSol was 74% of KH2PO4, making VivSol the effective P source for durum wheat among the products tested (aside from KH2PO4). For Fe uptake, product dominated by vivianite and metavivianite (VivInsol7.0), was the most effective Fe source for white lupin followed by Fe-EDDHA, ComViv, and VivSol with VivInsol6.5 as the least effective but without significant differences with Fe(II)-sulfate. The average crystallite sizes of the biovivianite were 59 nm, 63 nm, and 66 nm for VivSol, VivInsol7.0, and VivInsol6.5, respectively.ConclusionsThe mineral constituents of the biovivianite coupled with their nano-crystallite sizes explained its effectiveness as P and Fe fertilizers. The results reveal that biovivianite production is a novel way of producing efficient P and Fe fertilizers from P-enriched Fe sludge or P-rich water. Thus, it can be used for producing fertilizers with high P and Fe concentrations from water purification, providing new tools for a circular economy approach in the use of a non-renewable resource such as P.Graphical

Rotational complexity across US counties is currently insufficient to observe yield gains in major crops

Landscape complexity promotes ecosystem services and agricultural productivity, and often encompasses aspects of compositional or configurational land cover diversity across space. However, a key agricultural diversification practice, crop rotation, extends crop land cover complexity concurrently across space and time. Long-term experiments suggest that complex crop rotations can facilitate yield increases in major crops. Using a compiled county-annual panel dataset, we examined whether yield benefits of crop rotational complexity were apparent on a landscape scale in the conterminous US for four major crops between 2008 and 2020. We found that the benefit of rotational complexity was only apparent for cotton and winter wheat, and that the benefit for wheat was driven by one region. Corn exhibited the opposite pattern, wherein higher yields were consistently obtained with lower rotational complexity, while soybean yield appeared relatively insensitive to rotational complexity. Effects of rotational complexity were sometimes influenced by agrochemical usage. Positive effects of rotational complexity were only apparent with high fertilizer for soybean and wheat, and with low fertilizer for cotton. Corn yield in high-complexity, low-yielding counties appeared to improve with high fertilizer inputs. For the overwhelming majority of acres growing these major crops, crop rotation patterns were quite simple, which when combined with the short time span of available data, may explain the apparent discrepancy between long-term experiments and nationwide data. Current demand and incentives that promote highly intensified and specialized agriculture likely hinder realization of the benefits of rotational complexity for production of key crops in the US. Increasing rotational complexity where major crops are grown thus remains an underutilized approach to mitigate landscape simplification and to promote ecosystem services and crop yields.

COMPARATIVE RESPONSE OF TWO WHEAT VARIETIES TO BASAL AND SPLIT POTASSIUM NUTRITION UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Potassium (K) is an essential plant nutrient. Several research studies are available on the basal application of K concerned with yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Conversely, very limited studies are available on the split application of K. During 2018-2019, a field experiment was performed at the Southern Wheat Research Station, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan to determine the importance of the right time for K fertilization in wheat. The experiment included 18 plots, each having an area of 12m2 (4m × 3m) involving two cultivars of winter wheat, viz. Benazir and Sindhu, sown in two-factor Randomized Complete Block Design, arranged in a split pattern (main plots = varieties, sub plots = treatments). Three K fertilization levels were tested, i.e. T1 = No K fertilization, T2 = 50 kg K2O ha-1 applied at the time of sowing, T3 = two splits of K, i.e. 25 kg K2O ha-1 applied at sowing and 25 kg K2O ha-1 applied at grain filling stage (top dressing). According to results, the yield components showed a positive enhancement upon split application of K as compared to basal application in terms of significantly higher (p

Nitrogen fertilization in wheat, in clay soils at the Mexicali valley, Baja California, Mexico

The national and international markets' demand for wheat commercialization is conditioned by quality standards, among which the protein content and percentage of vitreous grain, without white belly, stand out. In them, nitrogen plays an important role in the yield and quality of the wheat grain. For these reasons, the objective of this research was to determine the effect that nitrogen has on yield, grain protein, and the vitreous grain percentage. A field experiment, planted on December 16, 2009, was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. The experimental design was of complete randomized blocks with four repetitions. The assessed treatments were 0, 105, 210, 315, and 340 kg of N ha-1 (N0, N105, N210, N315 and N340, respectively). The sown seed was Aconchi F-76 variety crystal wheat. The evaluated variables were grain yield, protein content, and vitreous grain quantity (without white belly). The results indicated that the 210, 315, and 340 kg of N ha-1 treatments affected the yield, protein content, and white belly decrease in the grain. Grain quality is therefore improved with these nitrogen doses, in relation to the quality of the harvested grain in the plots with 0 kg ha-1 and those cultivated with 105 kg ha-1.

Residual Effect of Biochar and Legumes on Soil Fertility, Yield and Yield Components of Wheat

Biochar and the use of legumes in cropping systems are considered sustainable approaches to boost crop yield and preserve soil fertility. In the current study, the effects of leftover biochar and previously planted legumes on wheat yield and soil N status were examined at various nitrogen (N) levels. The experiment included testing two levels of previously applied biochar (0 and 50 tons ha-1), three legumes under four levels of N (0, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) for fodder, Sesbenia (Sesbenia grandaflora) for green manuring, and mung bean (Vigna radiata) for grain. Results showed that biochar application enhanced wheat tiller m-2, spikes m-2, grains per spike, thousand grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, and soil total N status by 3%, 6.5%, 3.7%, 1.8%, 7.8%, 9.5%, and 11%, respectively. Moreover, applying nitrogen at a rate of 90 kg ha-1 increased the amount of wheat spike m-2 by 20%, grain spike-1 by 10%, grain yield by 70%, biological yield by 48%, harvest index by 27%, and the N content of the grain, straw, and soil by 13%, 14%, and 36% respectively. Meanwhile, 1000 grain weight resulted higher by 6.17%. Legumes that had been previously seeded outperformed fallow and increased spikes m-2, grain yield, biological yield, grain N content, and soil total N content by 8.2%, 11%, 6.78%, 25%, and 42%, respectively. It is determined that applying biochar to the summer gap left by legumes can increase soil fertility and wheat output.

Early share of 15N-labelled fertilizer between trees and crop in young temperate alley-cropping system

Nitrogen (N) partitioning between trees and crops in alley-cropping systems (AC) may increase the N fertilizer use, but more investigation is needed to elucidate it for young trees. The aim of this study was to explore the share of N between crops and three tree species after a few years of tree establishment in AC. Using 15N labeling (10 atm% as 15NH4,15NO3 form), we traced the fate of N fertilizer in wheat associated with four-year-old trees at Ramecourt alley-cropping experimental site. The 15N abundance of tree leaves and crop whole-plant was compared between samples collected in AC, in sole-crop control (CC) and in unlabeled and unfertilized pure-forest control plots (FC). The wheat δ15N increased from 0.7 ± 0.6‰ to 994 ± 474‰ before and 12 days after labeling and remained stable until harvest. For natural abundance, no significant difference in wheat δ15N was observed between AC and CC. The same result was observed for labeled treatment. The percentage of wheat N derived from fertilizer was on average 27 ± 17% and no effect of type of system or associated tree species was observed. Tree foliar δ15N was multiplied by 1.5, 1.8 and 4 for willow, hornbeam and wild cherry respectively compared to unlabeled trees in AC. The percentage of tree foliar N derived from fertilizer was on average 0.04 ± 0.04% and no significant difference was observed between tree species. The wheat associated with trees allocated significantly more tracer N to ears than wheat in monocrop. From this study, we succeeded in quantifying the beginning of tree/crop sharing of N fertilizer using labeling method and evidenced tree species effect. Young trees in AC contributed to valorize the N fertilizer without significant effect on global wheat uptake and favored its valorization in wheat grain.

Impact of Long Term Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS) in Rice –Wheat Cropping System on Population Dynamics and Dominance of Weed Species in Wheat

Weeds are the serious constraints in field crops. In 2014-15 and 2015-16 long term experiment was conducted which was earlier established from the year 1994 on IPNS in rice-wheat cropping system using randomized block design with four replications at Badiarkhar farm of the university. Twelve treatments viz., control (no fertilizer/manure), 50, 75 and 100% NPK each to rice and wheat through fertilizers, 50% NPK to rice and 100% NPK to wheat through fertilizers, 50% substitution of Nitrogen through FYM, wheat straw and green manure in rice and 100% NPK through fertilizers in wheat; 25% substitution of Nitrogen through FYM, wheat straw and green manure in rice and 75% NPK through fertilizers in wheat; and farmers’ practice (40% NPK through fertilizers to each crop plus 5 t FYM/ha on dry weight basis to rice) were evaluated for a period of two years (2014-15and 2015-16). Phalaris minor was the most dominant weed during both years followed by Alopecurus sp., Vicia sativa, Polygonum hydropiper, Lathyrus aphaca and Polygonum alatum. Artemisia sp. and other weeds had a little infestation during rabi 2014-15. While Cynodon dactylon, Anagallis arvensis, Centella asiatica and other weeds had shown their invasion during rabi 2015-16.