Fresh Biomass Yield Research Articles

The Effect of Digestate Fertilization on Grass Biogas Yield and Soil Properties in Field-Biomass-Biogas-Field Renewable Energy Production Approach in Lithuania

The shift from fossil economy to bio-economy will stimulate the demand for bio-based energy generation. The promising strategy to meet the growing demand of biomass for energy production is to re-cultivate set-aside arable land. The digestate fertilization approach for the sake of increased biomass yields is the key strategy towards sustainable biogas generation in many regions. In order to minimise digestate utilization costs, biogas plant operators seek to spread the liquid digestate as close as possible to its storage location. The present work is focused on the evaluation of the digestate impact for the eroded agricultural soil, the improved biomass yield of semi-natural grassland biomass and its biogas potential. Three-year field experiments results indicate the positive effect of solid and liquid digestate on soil fertility and quality. The amount of dissolved organic carbon in eroded loamy Retisol increased 3.7% and 15% in soil 0–10 cm layer with fertilization rate of 170 kg ha -1 N of liquid and solid digestate, respectively. In terms of total nitrogen 11.6% and 20% increase was achieved using 170 kg ha -1 N of liquid and solid digestate compared to the untreated. Furthermore, the grass fresh biomass yield was up to 3 times higher compared to untreated. The biomethane yield of biomass from digestate fertilized fields was higher for every fertilization rate applied. The highest biomethane yield was for 170 kg N ha-1 liquid digestate applied yielding 19% more biogas compared to untreated field biomass both due to increased biogas yield and increased methane content.

Influence of Different Nitrogen Application Levels on Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution of Silage Corn

The clarification of the dry matter accumulation, distribution law and yield differences of silage corn under different nitrogen application rates will provide theoretical basis for determining the optimal nitrogen application rates of silage corn under drip irrigation in central Inner Mongolia. In this study, Zhongxing silage 1 was selected as the experimental variety. This paper systematically analyzes the dry and fresh weight accumulation and growth rate, dry matter distribution and yield index of silage corn in the whole growth period under the condition of six different nitrogen application amount in two consecutive years of 2018 and 2019. The results indicated that the application of nitrogen fertilizer increased the whole plant fresh weight and dry matter content in different growth stages after the seedling stage of silage corn, and the whole growth period from the seedling stage to the harvest stage, the fresh weight and dry matter accumulation rate of N16 and N20 treated plant were higher than other treatments in 2018 and 2019. Except for the leaves at the trumpet period, the dry matter distribution ratio of each organ was not affected by nitrogen application level before tasseling stage. In the silage harvest period, the biological fresh weight and biomass yield of silage corn were the highest in N16. It can be concluded that N16 (240kg N ha−1) is the best nitrogen application rate for silage corn under drip irrigation in central Inner Mongolia by means of comprehensively comparing the dry matter accumulation rate, distribution and yield under different nitrogen rates.

Growth and Yield Performance of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Varieties to Application of Vermicompost at Koga Irrigation Site, Northwestern Ethiopia

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important cash and spice crop produced for home consumption and as a source of income to many smallholder farmers in many parts of the Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted at Adet Agricultural Research Center, Koga irrigation trial site in 2015/2016 cropping season. Three garlic varieties (Bishoftu Nech, Tsedey and a local cultivar) and three levels of vermicompost fertilizer (0, 2500, 5000 kg ha -1 ) were tested in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Bishoftu Nech variety gave significantly the highest total and marketable bulb yield 8.50 and 8.10 ton ha -1 , respectively, that exhibited 24 and 57% advantages over Tseday and the local cultivar, respectively. The highest values of mean bulb weight (37.85 g), mean clove number (9.92), mean clove weight (5.65 g), total fresh biomass yield (47.82 g/plant) and bulb dry matter (19.62%) was recorded from Bishoftu Nech variety with application of 5000 kg ha -1 vermicompost. Therefore, based on the current study, it can be concluded that producers in the study area could use Bishoftu Nech variety using 5000 kg ha -1 vermicompost for optimum garlic production. Keywords: Variety, vermicompost, yield, optimum garlic production, maximum economic benefit DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-23-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2020

Comparative performance on plant morphology and biomass yield of two selected Moringa oleifera cultivars

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) could be one of the promising tree fodders to meet up the seasonal forage shortage in Bangladesh. Two cultivars of Moringa oleifera species namely Black Seed Moringa (BSM-L) Local and White Seed Moringa (WSM-L) Local were cultivated at fodder research field in Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from August 2015 to December 2017 to determine plant morphology and biomass yield in different seasons of two consecutive years under common agronomical practices. The production performances of two Moringa cultivars were analyzed in an ANOVA of a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The result revealed that BSM-L had significantly higher survivability (89.12%, P<0.001), number of prune plant-1 (4.03, P<0.001) and lower defoliation rate (2.80%, P<0.04) than WSM-L(42.70%; 2.41 and 4.01%, respectively). On the other hand, leaf to stem ratio did not vary significantly (P<0.30) between cultivars (0.51 vs0.62). The annual fresh biomass yields (t ha-1) of BSM-L foliage (leaf+stem), stem and leaf (120.88, 84.14 and 45.07, respectively) were significantly (P<0.001) higher than that of WSM-L(33.71, 20.65and 12.67, respectively). On the other hand, the annual dry biomass yields (t ha-1) of BSM-L tops, stem and leaf (24.70, 14.49 and 09.85, respectively) were also significantly (P<0.001) higher than that of WSM-L (7.43, 3.93and 2.81, respectively). The seasonal effect of fresh foliage yield of Moringa showed that, dry& hot (March-June) (24.78 t ha-1/cut for BSM-L and 8.93 t ha-1/cut for WSM-L)and wet &hot(July-October) (31.48 t ha-1/cut for BSM-L and 6.85 t ha-1/cut for WSM-L)climates were found to be more suitable than dry & cool (November-February) (8.76 t ha-1/cut for BSM-L and 1.97 t ha-1/cut for WSM-L) climate. The initial growth of Moringa plants in the autumn or winter season was not satisfactory due to low temperature, humidity and rainfall. Results however, also showed that production of Moringa varied with variety and season. Finally, based on plant morphology and biomass yield, it may be concluded that, BSM-L may be cultivated as a potential tree fodder crop rather than WSM-L for ruminants in Bangladesh.
 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (1): 91-99

Multi-trait selection of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes for bioenergy production

The global demand for fuel from renewable sources has expanded rapidly in recent years and sweet sorghum is a crop with high potential for bioenergy production. This study aimed evaluate the performance of sweet sorghum hybrids belonging to the Embrapa Maize and Sorghum breeding program in different edaphoclimatic regions of Minas Gerais and to identify promising hybrids for bioenergy production, considering multiple traits of sweet sorghum. The study was conducted in two experimental areas of Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, in Sete Lagoas and Nova Porteirinha. A total of 36 sweet sorghum genotypes were evaluated, with 28 experimental hybrids and eight controls. The evaluated traits were: days from planting to flowering, plant height, fresh biomass yield, juice extraction, total soluble solids and tons of Brix per hectare. Analysis of variance, multiple comparison test, the Williams index of selection and the index suggested by Mulamba & Mock were performed. The results demonstrated the existence of genetic variability among the genotypes of sweet sorghum, demonstrating the possibility of selecting high-performance genotypes superior. The selection indexes employed were efficient in the selection of sweet sorghum hybrids with higher agroindustrial performance. It was possible to identify hybrids of sweet sorghum promising for bioenergy production.

Effects of Site, Genotype and Subsequent Harvest Rotation on Willow Productivity

Perennial crops harvested in short rotations provide substantial amounts of biomass. This study determined the survival rate, biometric features and yield of fresh and dry biomass of 15 willow genotypes (including seven varieties and eight clones), cultivated at two different sites in two consecutive three-year harvest rotations. The study revealed the very high impact of the genotype (81% of the total variance) on the willow yield. The harvest rotation, along with the genotype, had a significant impact on the plant survival rate and the number of shoots per stool. Willow biomass was mainly affected by the plant height, its survival rate and shoot diameter. The significantly highest fresh (106 Mg ha−1) and dry biomass yield (54.0 Mg ha−1) was obtained from the Żubr variety of S. viminalis, which distinguished this variety from the other genotypes. The mean yield for the best three and five genotypes was 13% and 17% lower, respectively, and the mean yield for the whole experiment was 37% lower compared to the mean yield of the best variety (Żubr). Therefore, the choice of a willow genotype is of key importance for successful willow production.

Genotype-by-environment interaction and yield stability analysis of biomass sorghum hybrids using factor analytic models and environmental covariates

Abstract Biomass sorghum has emerged as an alternative crop for biofuel and bioelectricity production. Fresh biomass yield (FBY) is a quantitative trait highly correlated with the calorific power of energy sorghum cultivars, but also highly affected by the environment. The main goal of this study was to investigate the genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) and the stability of sorghum hybrids evaluated for FBY across different locations and years, using factor analytic (FA) mixed models and environmental covariates. Pairwise genetic correlations between environments ranged from -0.21 to 0.99, indicating the existence of null to high G × E. The FA analysis unveiled that solely three factors explained more than 79% of the genetic variance, and that more than 60% of the environments were clustered in the first factor. Moderate correlations were found between some environmental covariates and the loadings of FA models for environments, suggesting the possible factors to explain the high G × E between environments clustered in a given factor. For example: precipitation, minimum temperature and speed wind were correlated to the environmental loadings of factor 1; minimum temperature, solar radiation and altitude to factor 2; and crop growth cycle to factor 3. The latent regression analysis was used to identify hybrids more responsive to a set of environments, as well as hybrids specifically adapted to a given environment. Finally, FA models can be successfully used to identify the main environmental factors affecting G × E, such as minimum temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, crop growth cycle and altitude.

Reducing Nitrate Accumulation and Fertilizer Use in Lettuce with Modified Intermittent Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a leading greenhouse-grown vegetable. However, nitrate (NO3−) accumulation in leaves remains a major issue. The aims of this research were: (i) to test the modified intermittent Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) in the cultivation of soilless lettuce in which plants are grown on peat blocks in trays and supplied with an intermittent flow of nutrient solution, and (ii) to calibrate the fertilization scheme to increase yield performance, while keeping NO3− concentration under control. Two greenhouse trials were performed between autumn 2013 and spring 2014. Results showed that a 30-day cycle is the optimum duration in terms of fresh biomass yield, both for autumn and spring cultivation. Reducing N fertilization in the last cropping days never affected NO3− concentration in leaves during autumn trial, due to unfavourable growing conditions. Conversely, suspension of fertilization 2 days before harvest had a consistent effect during the spring trial, when NO3− concentration in leaves was highly reduced (from 20 to 36%) without yield penalties. Thus, suspending fertilization 2–4 days before harvesting in intermittent NFT may reduce, on average, NO3− accumulation by 29–58% and the fertilization rate by 7–16%, respectively. Yet, growing conditions are crucial to make this system effective.

Genetic variability among Ethiopian sorghum landrace accessions for major agro-morphological traits and anthracnose resistance

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is one of the major food crops serving millions of people in the semi-arid regions of the world but its production is curtailed by anthracnose, among other challenges. Breeding high yielding and anthracnose resistant sorghum cultivars is an overriding goal for water-limited environments that experience high humid conditions, including Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess genetic variation among Ethiopian sorghum landrace accessions based on agro-morphological traits and anthracnose resistance, aiming to select promising genotypes for breeding. Three hundred and sixty six sorghum landrace accessions and three check cultivars were evaluated at the Bako Agricultural Research Center in western Ethiopia for 2 years. Data on 11 agro-morphological traits and anthracnose reaction were collected. The analysis of variance indicated that the genotype main effects were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) for all the assessed traits. Hierarchical clustering using the phenotypic trait data grouped the accessions into five major clusters. The five clusters contained genotypes sourced from different geographical origins, and two accessions that did not belong to any particular cluster. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits, reflecting the confounding effect of environment and genotype interactions in the observed variation. Panicle length, anthracnose reaction and fresh biomass yield had relatively higher heritability and high expected genetic advance, suggesting that these traits could be improved by direct selection. Path coefficient analysis indicated that harvest index and fresh biomass had the strongest direct effects on grain yield. Accessions 71559, 71571, 71425, 71644, 243645, 71524, 70161, 204622, 71653 and 71551 were the best performers in grain yield, yield components and anthracnose resistance. These accessions are selected for yield and anthracnose improvement in sorghum breeding programs.

Insight into genetic potential of male sterile sweet sorghum A-lines for agroindustrial traits using tester R-lines

There is a growing demand for the development of alternative fuels from renewable sources, thus sweet sorghum an autogamous species has potential for bioethanol production. Traditionally recommended cultivars were varieties, however, with the development of cytoplasmic male sterile sweet sorghum lines, sweet sorghum hybrids have become economically viable. The sweet sorghum breeding program of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Milho e Sorgo) has been developing sweet sorghum hybrids for bioethanol production according to the scheme of A, B and R-lines are used, where A-lines are used as females in the production of hybrid seeds. A and B-lines are isogenic, which differ only its cytoplasm source, sterile and normal, respectively, and fertility restorers R-lines. Thus the objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic potential of new male-sterile sweet sorghum A-lines using testcross hybrids developed with two sweet sorghum R-line as testers for agroindustry characteristics for bioethanol production. Forty testcross hybrids were developed using 20 experimental A-lines and two testers sweet sorghum R-lines. Experiments were conducted at experimental stations in Sete Lagoas-MG and Nova Porteirinha-MG, to evaluate 20 A-lines, two 2 R-lines, the resulting 40 testcross hybrids, and two controls. The 64 treatments were evaluated for days to flowering, fresh biomass yield and total soluble solids (Brix). The data obtained were analyzed using the ASReml package, for the estimation of variance components and the prediction of genetic and non-genetic values via REML/BLUP. Two models were adopted, called Multi-Tester and Single-Tester. The genotypic values of the A-lines when crossed with tester T2, were positive for nine A-lines (12, 17, 6, 20, 18, 16, 19, 11 and 3) with emphasis on A-lines 12, 17 and 6, which were the highest values, respectively, the same tester for the trait FLOW, ten A-lines were positive values (3, 16, 17, 4, 12, 15, 5, 6, 8, 20) with emphasis on 3, 16 and 17. The genotypic values for TSS (Brix) trait of the A-lines when crossed with tester T1 were positive for A-lines (19, 18, 20, 16, 1, 5, and 6) with emphasis on lines 19, 18, 20, and 16, with the highest values, respectively. Only two A-lines showed positive genotypic values for three traits, A-line 16 and 20. These results indicate the need for continuing simultaneous improvement of A-lines for FLOW, FBY, and TSS. A-lines from the sorghum breeding program of Embrapa Milho e Sorgo have the potential for use as parents in the development of superior sweet sorghum hybrids for bioethanol production. The A-lines 6 and 20 have positive genotypic values for three traits, this A-lines has a potential for producing hybrids dedicated to bioethanol production. The T1-L tester was more efficient in discriminating the genetic values between the A lines for TSS, while the T2-L tester for FBY and FLOW. The development of a tester with genotype "drydry" and "Ma1Ma1" is important in order to develop superior hybrids to produce bioethanol involving the A, B and R scheme.

Saccharin sorghum submitted to application of phosphorus and ethephon

Saccharin sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a promising energy crop due to the storage of fermentable sugars in the stems, which are easily converted into ethanol. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the application of phosphorus and Ethephon on the development, productivity of sorghum and technological quality of saccharin sorghum. The experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm, located in Selviria-MS. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with a 5x4 double factorial design, with five doses of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg ha-1 P2O5) and four doses of Ethephon (0, 330, 660, 1,320 mL ha-1) with four replicates. The variables analyzed were: plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, stand at 15 and 60 days after Ethephon application (D.A.A), fresh and dry biomass volume and yield. In addition, the following technological variables were evaluated: soluble solids content (BRIX%); sucrose content (POL%); reducing sugars (RS%); total reducing sugars (TRS%); fiber (%); purity (%) and humidity. The doses of P2O5 did not influence the productivity, but increased the stem diameter. Ethephon doses did not influence the yield of sorghum, but improved the technological quality of the extracted juice.

Water Depletion Pattern and Water Use Efficiency of Forage Sorghum, Pearl millet, and Corn Under Water Limiting Condition

In the semi-arid Texas High Plains, declining irrigation water supply hinders the profitable corn (Zea mays L.) silage production, the principle feed ingredient of the beef and dairy industries. Drought-tolerant and deep-rooting crops like forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) could be an alternative to corn silage under limiting irrigation. A field study was conducted during 2018 and 2019 at New Deal, TX to assess soil water depletion patterns, water use efficiency (WUE), and silage yield of forage sorghum, pearl millet, and corn under limited irrigation. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three irrigation levels [I0 (55 and 29 mm), I1 (172 and 147 mm), and I2 (323 and 260 mm) in 2018 and 2019, respectively] as main-plots and five cultivars [P1498AM (corn), AF7401 and Silo700D (BMR sorghum), and Epic and Exceed (BMR pearl millet)] as sub-plots with three replications. The soil water depletion amount was greater in I0 (105 and 57 mm) followed by I1 (60 and 37 mm) and I2 (44 and 13 mm) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Fresh biomass yield was the greatest in I2 followed by I1 and I0; however, the highest WUE was achieved in I0 and I2 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Water depletion depth was greater for sorghum and pearl millet plots (0–1 m) than corn plots (0–0.6 m) which resulted in greater water depletion amount in sorghum (75 and 31 mm) and pearl millet (68 and 48 mm) plots than corn (67 and 28 mm) during 2018 and 2019, respectively. Average yield and WUE were the highest in sorghum cultivars, followed by pearl millet and corn. Results confirmed that the higher silage yield and WUE can be achieved by sorghum compared to pearl millet and corn under limited irrigation conditions.

Evaluating Growth and Yield Parameters of Five Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa W.) Genotypes Under Different Salt Stress Conditions

Soil salinization is a global problem which restricts the choice of crop for cultivation. Management and reclamation of salinity using costly techniques may not be affordable by subsistence farmers. Therefore, it is important to look for new alternate crops like “quinoa” which are more salt-tolerant. As crops vary in their tolerance to salinity, they need to be evaluated for different salinity conditions. This study was conducted to evaluate five quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa W.) genotypes (ICBA-Q1, ICBA-Q2), ICBA-Q3, ICBA-Q4 and ICBA-Q5) for salinity tolerance under four artificially induced salinity (5, 10, 15, 20 dS m-1) levels. The pot trials were conducted in a greenhouse, using 6 kg of Fluvisol soil in each pot. For comparison, trials were also conducted under field conditions. The parameters studied were rate of seed germination, plant height, fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll content and grain yield. As expected, salinity had generally an inhibitory effect on all parameters. Out of the five quinoa varieties (ICBA-Q1 to ICBA-Q5), ICBA-Q3 and ICBA-Q4 proved to be more salt-tolerant. Therefore these two genotypes are recommended to farmers for large-scale adaptation.

Growth and Yield Response of Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) to Intra-row Spacing and Variety at Selekeleka, Northern Ethiopia

Background:Garlic is an important condiment and cash crop in Ethiopia. Low yield and productivity of the crop are the major characteristics of the crop in the country. Many factors affect the productivity of the crop in the country, however poor agronomic practices, especially the use of low-yielding varieties and inappropriate spacing, are the major ones.Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the growth and yield response of garlic to intra-row spacing and variety, and to identify the optimum intra-row spacing and high-yielding variety.Methods:The field experiment was composed of three garlic varieties vis-a-vis Tsedey 92, Bishoftu Netch and Local and four levels of intra-row spacing with 5cm, 7.5cm, 10cm and 12.5 cm laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. Data pertaining growth, yield and yield-related parameters were collected and analyzed using Genstat software.Results:Main effects of variety and intra-row spacing significantly(p≤0.05) affected days to maturity, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, bulb length, bulb diameter, clove number per bulb, mean bulb weight, and clove diameter. Interaction effects of variety and intra-row spacing significantly (p≤0.05) influenced clove length, fresh biomass yield, dry biomass yield, marketable cloves per bulb, marketable, unmarketable and total bulb yield. The highest total bulb yield of 8.98 tha-1was obtained from treatment combination of variety Tsedey 92 and 5cm intra-row spacing although at par with treatment combinations of Bishoftu Netch variety and 5cm intra-row spacing which gave 8.70 tha-1while the lowest (5.37 tha-1) was obtained at treatment combinations of local variety and intra-spacing of 12.5cm. The highest (8.05 tha-1) and lowest (4.94 tha-1) marketable bulb yield of garlic were obtained at treatment combinations of variety Tsedey 92 planted with 5cm intra-row spacing and local variety planted with 12.5cm, respectively.Conclusion:Tsedey 92 variety together with an intra-row spacing of 5cm could be suggested for high total and marketable bulb yield in the study area.

FLOWER BUD REMOVAL AND EARTHING UP TIME INCREASED GROWTH AND TUBER YIELD OF POTATO AT EASTERN TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA

<p class="abstrakinggris">In Ethiopia, potato is a staple food crop and source of cash income for smallholder farmers, but the national average yield in farmers’ field is lower than experimental yields due to poor agronomic activities. The study aimed to determine the effects of flower removal and earthing up time on growth and tuber yield of potato. The experiment comprised of three flower removal stage and five earthing up time treatments, which were laid out in a randomized complete block design of 3x5 factorial arrangements with three replications. Results indicated that plant height, stem number, tuber length and tuber diameter were shown significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the main effect of flower removal and earthing up time but not by their interaction. Fresh shoot biomass and physiological maturity were recorded significantly affected (p < 0.05) by earthing up time, but not by flower removal stage and its interaction with earthing up time. Total fresh biomass, marketable and unmarketable tuber yield, as well as total tuber yield were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by main factors and their interaction effects. The results clearly indicated that the highest total tuber yield (30.96 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) was recorded from flower bud removed potato earthed up at 15 days after complete emergence. Therefore, flower bud removed potato earthed up at 15 days after full emergence was better in terms of all yield contributing characters and tuber yield.</p><em></em><em></em>

Computational intelligence for studies on genetic diversity between genotypes of biomass sorghum

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of computational intelligence and canonical variables for studies on the genetic diversity between biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes. The experiments were carried out in the experimental field of Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, in the municipalities of Nova Porteirinha and Sete Lagoas, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following traits were evaluated: days to flowering, plant height, fresh biomass yield, total dry biomass, and dry biomass yield. The study of genetic diversity was performed through the analysis of canonical variables. For the recognition of the organization pattern of genetic diversity, Kohonen’s self-organizing map was used. The use of canonical variables and a self-organizing map were efficient for the study of genetic diversity. The application of computational intelligence using a self-organized map is promising and efficient for studies on the genetic diversity between biomass sorghum genotypes.

BIOMASS YIELD ENHANCEMENT OF DHAINCHA (SESBANIA SPECIES) THROUGH CULTURAL PRACTICES

Three separate field experiments were conducted to exploit biomass yield potential of dhaincha (Sesbania species) by different cultural practices. A total of six accessions from three Sesbania species, viz. S. bispinosa (#05, 71, 77 and 109), S. cannabina (#28) and S. sesban (#81), were used as experimental materials. Experimental treatments were population densities, viz. 180, 240 and 300 plants m-2; sowing dates, viz. 30 April, 15 May, 30 May and 15 June, and fertilizer doses, viz. 0 (without N/control), 10, 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. All the experiments were designed following randomized complete block design with three replications. Experiments on population density and sowing dates were conducted in control condition (without any fertilizer application). The N-fertilizer was applied as top dress at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and crops were harvested at 60 DAS. The maximum biomass (10.07 t ha-1) was obtained from 240 plants m-2. At 30 April sowing, plants produced the tallest height (199.69 cm), widest base diameter (1.02 cm), highest fresh weight (62.07 t ha-1) and biomass yield (14.73 t ha-1). There were no significant differences in biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors between 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. Among the species, S. bispinosa was the best performer in terms of biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors. It may be concluded that S. bispinosa (accession #71) could be cultivated with the population density 240 plants m-2, at 30 April, without any fertilizer application. In case of later sowing/cultivation, the 20 kg N ha-1 could be applied for the maximization of biomass yield.

Economic evaluation of different strategy for weed management in garlic production

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate various weed management options on garlic (Alium sativum L.) production in Northeastern Croatia. This study focus on how different strategies of weed control affects weed community composition and economic benefit of weed management. An experiment was arranged as a complete block design with three different weed management strategies: chemical control (PRE EM and POST EM), mechanical control (three times during the season), and combination of chemical and mechanical treatments, together with weeded checks. Data on weed density, fresh above weed biomass and garlic yield per m2 were collected at the end of the growing season, and were subjected to statistical and economic analysis. The mayor weeds found in the experimental plots were: Sorghum halepense, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Cirsium arvense and Chenopodium album. The various weed growth (density and biomass) and yield varied with application of weed management practices. Significantly lower values of weed density and fresh above weed biomass were recorded on plots with mechanical and combination of chemical and mechanical treatments compared to weeded check. Chemical application gave in this study insufficient weed control and resulted in lower yields compared to the mechanical treatments and combination of mechanical and mechanical weed control. The best cost: benefit ratio was observed on treatment with combination of chemical and mechanical weed control and can be successfully applied to boost up the bulb yield in garlic and to harvest the maximum profit for farmers.

Intrapopulation recurrent selection in sweet sorghum for improving sugar yield

Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] accumulates fermentable sugars in the stalk making this crop an important bioenergy feedstock. The objectives of this study were to implement an intrapopulation recurrent selection program to increase the sugar yield in sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and to estimate the genetic progress after a recurrent selection cycle for the main agro-industrial traits of interest. The base population for cycle 0 (C0) was developed from 15 fertility restorer lines using a genetic male-sterile source to promote recombination. A total of 196 half-sib progeny from C0 were evaluated in experiments with a 14 × 14 lattice design in the 2016–2017 season. The following traits were evaluated: days to flowering (DF), plant height (PH), fresh biomass yield (FBY), total soluble solids content (TSS) and tons of Brix per hectare (TBH). Data were analyzed using the mixed model approach. Genetic variation was observed among the C0 half-sib progeny for all of the agro-industrial traits studied. The 40 best progeny were selected based on the best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) for TBH, which were then recombined to form the base population for cycle 1 (C1). Subsequently, 40 half-sib progeny from each cycle (C0 and C1) were randomly selected and evaluated in experiments with a 9 × 9 lattice design to estimate the genetic progress for DF, PH, FBY, TSS and TBH traits. The genetic progress was significant, with increases of 3.73% for PH, 8.04% for FBY, and 8.65% for TBH, demonstrating the efficiency of the intrapopulation recurrent selection program used.

Effects of Sewage Sludge Amendments on the Growth and Physiology of Sweet Basil

Currently, wastewater treatment plants produce large amounts of sewage sludge. Due to the rich content of organic matter and minerals, sewage sludge can be used as soil amendments for eroded soils. The aim of this work was to assess sewage sludge (SS) in combination with an eroded soil (ES) collected from the North Eastern Romania as growth substrate for sweet basil, and their effect on basil growth and physiology. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under controlled environment conditions. The tested substrates were: (1) eroded soil, ES; (2) mixture of eroded soil (15%) + sewage sludge, ES + SS (85%); and (3) sewage sludge, SS (100%). Three types of parameters were studied: morphological traits, physiological, and biochemical parameters. The maximum quantum yield of Photosystem II Fv/Fm was reduced in basil leaves grown on eroded soil (0.80) and was close to the normal value in ES + SS (0.83). Chlorophyll a and the carotenoids content were higher for plants grown on SS and significantly higher for those grown in ES + SS compared with the one of plants grown on ES. The fresh biomass yield and height of basil increased with 44% and 34.5% under ES + SS over ES. Total phenolic content was higher in plants grown on ES (7.34 mg/g dry weight Gallic acid equivalent), which also led to an increased antioxidant activity (44.4%) evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) (4000–400 cm−1) spectra of basil did not show significant qualitative differences among the plants from different treatments. The results of this study demonstrated that SS application led to the improvement of the basil morpho-physiological parameters, allowing the growth of basil on ES + SS.