Fresh Grain Research Articles

Unlocking the Green Potential: Enhancing Maize (Zea mays L.) Germination, Growth, and Yield through Innovative Seed Priming in Taplejung, Nepal

A cheap and ecologically friendly pre-sowing method that increases germination rates and seedling vigor, which in turn enhances growth and productivity, is considered seed priming. A field experiment was conducted in 2022 in farmer’s field to evaluate the effective priming method suitable for the balanced germination, growth, and yield of maize. An experiment consists of a single-factor randomized complete block design with 3 replications and 8 treatments. The analysis of the data was conducted with R Studio software at the p <0.05 level of significance, and a mean comparison was done using DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test). According to this study, seed priming increased the germination, growth, and yield of crop growth parameters such as germination percentage, germination index, days to 100% germination, stem diameter at 35 days, days to 100% tasseling, days to 100% silking, plant population/ha, number of cobs per plant, ear length, ear girth, kernels per cob, 1000 kernel weight, fresh grain yield, adjusted grain yield, fresh Stover yield, and fresh biomass yield. The highest germination percentage (98.61%) and index (11.89 days), the earliest days to 100% germination (12.00 days), early tassel emergence (63.00 days), early silking emergence (66.00 days), the highest number of kernels per cob (529.37), 1000 kernel weight (337.10 g), harvest index (0.62), ear length (22.38 mm), and ear girth (49.72mm) were recorded on the treatment primed with cow urine for 18 hours. However, the highest fresh Stover yield (2954.07 kg/ha) and fresh biomass yield (6336.29 kg/ha) are recorded on stoves primed with DAP for 18 hours. Cow-urine priming for 18 hours improved the germination and economic yield of maize. Efficient cow-urine priming is a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and finest alternative approach to increasing the maize yield.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the pivotal role of phytohormone homeostasis in regulating maize grain water content

Grain water content (GWC) is a key determinant for mechanical harvesting of maize (Zea mays). In our previous research, we identified a quantitative trait locus, qGWC1, associated with GWC in maize. Here, we examined near-isogenic lines (NILs) NILL and NILH that differed at the qGWC1 locus. Lower GWC in NILL was primarily attributed to reduced grain water weight (GWW) and smaller fresh grain size, rather than the accumulation of dry matter. The difference in GWC between the NILs became more pronounced approximately 35 d after pollination (DAP), arising from a faster dehydration rate in NILL. Through an integrated analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, coupled with an examination of hormones and their derivatives, we detected a marked decrease in JA, along with an increase in cytokinin, storage forms of IAA (IAA-Glu, IAA-ASP), and IAA precursor IPA in immature NILL kernels. During kernel development, genes associated with sucrose synthases, starch biosynthesis, and zein production in NILL, exhibited an initial up-regulation followed by a gradual down-regulation, compared to those in NILH. This discovery highlights the crucial role of phytohormone homeostasis and genes related to kernel development in balancing GWC and dry matter accumulation in maize kernels.

Phosphate fertilization in sequeiro rice cropping

Rice farming has great importance in Brazil and around the world as the grain is a vital source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. With an increasing productive demand, there is need to search for sustainable and more efficient means of production. A promising alternative is fertilization with organomineral fertilizers, however, its application and efficiency is little explored by the literature. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of varying doses of phosphorus (P) from organomineral fertilizer on the productivity and nutritional status of rice plants. The design was completely randomized with 3 replications. The rice plants were treated with doses of 0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha of P2O5 from organic-mineral fertilizer and doses of 75 and 150 kg/ha of P2O5 from high solubility mineral fertilizer. The macro and micronutrient contents of fresh grain mass, total dry grain mass, dry grain mass and mass of 100 grains of rice were evaluated. The organomineral phosphate fertilizer showed similar behaviour to the high-solubility mineral fertilizer.

Evaluation of homeopathic treatments for the control of moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri Samson & Benny), in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)

Objective: To evaluate low- and high-dilution homeopathic products in the incidence of Moniliophthora roreri in cacao plants. Design/Methodology/Approach: The plantation was studied using a randomized block design with three repetitions and six treatments: Homeopathic nosode 12C and 200C, Cacao homeopathic combination remedy 12C and 200C, water control, and control sample, with applications every 15 days. The studied variables were: Number of flowers, number of healthy and diseased cherelles, number of healthy and diseased pods, ripe pod weight, fresh grain weight, and leaf color. Results: A significant difference was observed in the number of flowers with Cacao combined remedy 200C during November-December 2018. A significant difference was observed in leaf color with Cacao combined remedy 200C during October 2018-January 2019 and with Cacao combine remedy 12C in October 2018. No significant difference was found in treatments for number of healthy and diseased cherelles, number of healthy and diseased pods, ripe pod weight, and fresh grain weight. Study limitations/Implications: The treatment application period was short. In order to obtain more convincing results, a one-year application period prior to evaluation is suggested. Findings/Conclusions: The Cacao combined remedy 200C had a positive effect on the number of flowers during the period in which flowering decreases due to environmental conditions and on leaf greenness during four consecutive months of evaluation. Cacao homeopathic combination remedy 12C showed a significant difference for the latter variable only in October 2018. This suggests that the low-dose homeopathic medication and a high centesimal potency promotes a better response of the cacao plant to an acute disease such as moniliasis.

Fresh maize yield in response to nitrogen application rates and characteristics of nitrogen-efficient varieties

Efficient nitrogen management is crucial in developing sustainable strategies aimed at enhancing yield while mitigating negative environmental impacts. However, limited research has focused on this aspect in the production of fresh maize. Therefore, this study analyzed nitrogen application rates and yield for 40 sweet and 44 waxy maize varieties in Zhejiang Province, China from 2015 to 2019 across five sites. Nitrogen application rates were categorized as relatively high (RHN: >300 kg ha-1 for sweet maize, >320 kg ha-1 for waxy maize) or relatively low (RLN). An increase in nitrogen application rates for both sweet and waxy maize significantly reduced nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity (R2=0.616, P<0.01; R2=0.643, P<0.01), indicating that the optimum nitrogen application rate in this study might be the lowest values (160 kg ha-1 for sweet maize and 180 kg ha-1 for waxy maize). The kernel number per ear of sweet maize had a potentially more significant impact on fresh grain yield compared to the 1,000-fresh kernel weight both under RLN and RHN. In waxy maize, 1,000-kernel weight contributed more to fresh grain yield under RLN, and kernel number ear-1 and 1,000-kernel weight cooperatively affected yield under RHN. In this study, it was observed that sweet maize required taller plant and ear height, along with an optimal ear-plant height ratio, to enhance dry matter accumulation and increase source size, particularly under RLN, to achieve a higher fresh grain yield. In contrast, a lower ear height and ear-plant height ratio of waxy maize probably contributed more to increased kernel number and weight under RLN, likely due to a lower ear height can reduce the distance between sink and source, enabling more efficient photoassimilate allocation to the ear.

Species Diversity, Nitrogen Fixation, and Nutrient Solubilization Activities of Endophytic Bacteria in Pea Embryos

Endophytic bacteria, especially those that participate in nitrogen fixation, play critical roles in supplying essential nutrients for legume plant growth. Despite that there have been numerous investigations targeting bacterial microbiomes in legume roots and nodules, little is known about embryonic bacteria that facilitate plant nutrient utilization after seed germination. Here, we collected and investigated endophytic bacterial microbiome in edible pea (Pisum sativum) embryos using five representative cultivars and a pea sprout (shoot of pea [SHP]) control. Twenty-six nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) were isolated from pea embryos, with three strains found in fresh grain pea (FGP) and snow pea (SP) exhibiting the strongest nitrogenase activity of above 85 nmol C2H4/mL/h. Some NFB isolates are also potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) or phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) utilizing inorganic and/or organic phosphorus. All 26 NFB showed variable levels (0.41 to 7.10 μg/mL) of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) secretion. The nutrient-solubilizing NFB identified in our research are potential targets for biofertilizer development. They could be useful in converting nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphorus into usable forms for the plants. At the microbiome level, high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing of 40 bacterial collections from pea embryos generated 4234 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using 97% identity as the threshold for clustering high-quality effective reads (valid tags). Analysis of OTU annotation results revealed similar species community structures, abundance, and diversity in most samples. Our embryo-derived endophytic bacterial pool provides a microbiome platform for seed dormancy and germination research of edible peas, as well as for digging new biofertilizer resources in general.

Blast Disease Behavior in Some Boro Rice Varieties of Bangladesh and Development of Induced Resistance System Against Blast Disease through Selected Novel Chemicals

Chronologically two experiments have been conducted during the period from October 2018 to May 2019 and July 2019 to June 2020 at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh for the identification of one of the best rice varieties and chemicals against blast disease. In a field experiment, eight boro rice varieties were evaluated (five inbreed varieties, two high-yielding varieties, and one wild variety) to observe varietal performances against blast disease. A pot experiment was also performed to study the resistance behavior of the tested varieties in an in-vitro condition by applying silica powder, K2SiO3, salicylic acid, cattle urine (both normal and pregnant cows), and PPN. Field study revealed that the wild variety was highly resistant (incidence and severity 0%) whereas BRRI dhan58 was susceptible (incidence 21.48% and severity 60.48%). Wild variety was also characterized by the highest tiller number (20.73), panicle length (24.90 cm), fresh grain weight (62.30 g), and dry grain weight (51.70 g). The highest number of panicles was recorded in BRRI dhan28 (18.40) which was statistically like the wild variety (17.50). Though wild variety performed best in another parameter it gave the lowest amount of yield (4.77 kg/plot). In morphological studies of pathogen, pyriform-shaped conidia were found in a sympodial fashion on conidiophores whose size varied from 22.13 to 28.47 μm × 9.13 to 11.72 μm (average 25.30×10.43 μm). The second experiment revealed that all selected novel chemicals showed some extent of resistance but the cattle urine, PPN, and K2SiO3 showed a promising effect. Koch’s postulate test for the experiment confirmed the causal organism of blast disease is Magnaporthe oryzaein artificially inoculated plants.

Interspecific Competition as Affected by Nitrogen Application in Sweet Corn–Soybean Intercropping System

Corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) intercropping is one of the main traditional intercropping systems used. We hypothesized that sweet corn–soybean intercropping with reduced nitrogen application could improve the crops’ fresh grain yield and nitrogen acquisition. We clarified whether sweet corn intercropped with soybean has the advantages of improved crop yield and carbon and nitrogen accumulation and assessed interspecific competition in the intercropping systems. A four-year (2017–2020) field experiment was conducted with three nitrogen application levels (0, 150, and 300 kg∙ha−1) and three planting patterns (monocropped sweet corn, monocropped soybean, sweet corn–soybean intercropping) at Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China. The LER (land equivalent ratio), AG (aggressivity), and CR (competitive ratio) were calculated using the fresh grain yield and nitrogen and carbon accumulation of sweet corn and soybean. The LER values were greater than 1.0 in most of the intercropped patterns, except for the value based on the crops’ fresh grain yield without nitrogen application in 2020. Sweet corn had greater values of CR and AG than soybean in the intercropping system. Compared with common nitrogen application (300 kg∙ha−1), reduced nitrogen application (150 kg∙ha−1) did not significantly reduce the LER or the average CR and AG values. Under reduced nitrogen application, the values of LER, CR, and AG, based on the crops’ fresh grain yield and nitrogen acquisition, were not significantly different between the four years. In conclusion, based on the LER, CR, and AG, sweet corn–soybean intercropping had the advantage of crop yield and nitrogen acquisition, and sweet corn was the superior competitor. Sweet corn–soybean intercropping with nitrogen application (150 kg N ha−1) showed good inter-annual stability of crop productivity and competitiveness of the sweet corn.

Spraying exogenous hormones alleviate impact of weak-light on yield by improving leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism in fresh waxy maize.

Insufficient light during the growth periods has become one of the main factors restricting maize yield with global climate change. Exogenous hormones application is a feasible measure to alleviate abiotic stresses on crop productivity. In this study, a field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of spraying exogenous hormones on yield, dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation, leaf carbon and N metabolism of fresh waxy maize under weak-light stress in 2021 and 2022. Five treatments including natural light (CK), weak-light after pollination (Z), spraying water (ZP1), exogenous Phytase Q9 (ZP2) and 6-benzyladenine (ZP3) under weak-light after pollination were set up using two hybrids suyunuo5 (SYN5) and jingkenuo2000 (JKN2000). Results showed that weak-light stress significantly reduced the average fresh ear yield (49.8%), fresh grain yield (47.9%), DM (53.3%) and N accumulation (59.9%), and increased grain moisture content. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr) of ear leaf after pollination decreased under Z. Furthermore, weak-light decreased the activities of RuBPCase and PEPCase, nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) in ear leaves, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. And the decrease was greater on JKN2000. While ZP2 and ZP3 treatments increased the fresh ear yield (17.8%, 25.3%), fresh grain yield (17.2%, 29.5%), DM (35.8%, 44.6%) and N (42.5%, 52.4%) accumulation, and decreased grain moisture content compared with Z. The Pn, Tr increased under ZP2 and ZP3. Moreover, the ZP2 and ZP3 treatments improved the activities of RuBPCase, PEPCase; NR, GS, GOGAT; SOD, CAT, POD in ear leaves, and decreased MDA content during grain filling stage. The results also showed the mitigative effect of ZP3 was greater than ZP2, and the improvement effect was more significant on JKN2000.

Modeling and Experimental Study on Drying Characteristics of Corn Particles with Hot Air in Downward Moving Bed

With regard to drying fresh grain prior to storage, the drying tower with a downward moving bed with hot air is often used, which always has high energy consumption during operation. To optimize the operation, according to the actual operating parameters of a corn drying tower with hot air, a heat balance model was established, and the heat transfer between the hot air and corn flow in a downward moving bed was analyzed. Since the downward moving time is short, the heat absorbed by corn significantly depends on the heat transfer coefficient, mainly the convective heat transfer, between the hot air and corn surface. To determine the convective heat transfer coefficient, a hot air drying experimental system for corn grains was established, and the effects of hot air temperature and wind speed on the central temperature and moisture content of corn grains were analyzed. Utilizing the heat balance model, the convective heat transfer coefficients between corn particles and hot air were calculated. The total convective heat transfer coefficients are in the range of 39.4–53.8 W/m2 · K. With an average value of 46.7 W/m2 · K, drying energy efficiencies in different drying zones in the drying tower were calculated, and the accuracy of the model was verified by the operation data. Due to the high inlet temperature of hot air, the maximum energy efficiency of the first zone is 60.15%, whereas when the temperature of hot air in the second drying tower is 140 °C, the energy efficiency is only 41.97%. Therefore, under the premise of ensuring the drying rate, the temperature of hot air of the second zone should be appropriately reduced to improve the whole drying energy efficiency.

Valuing in the Agrifood System: The Case of Fresh Grain Legumes in Denmark

Transitioning towards more sustainable food products, such as plant proteins, requires a change in practice by several actors in the agrifood system. Change of this kind involves everyday choices about what food to produce, sell, prepare, and eat. Inspired by science and technology studies (STS) thinking, we investigate how such choices are influenced by socio-material practices of valuing. We use the case of fresh grain legumes for human consumption to explore how valuing is simultaneously affected by and shapes the agrifood system. Through interviews with 24 actors in the Danish agrifood system, we identify valuing parameters ranging from taste, nitrogen fixation, durability, and nutrition to price. The study reveals differences regarding what and how actors value depending on the actors’ position in the agrifood system and how the fresh grain legumes travel from field to plate. Where values conflict, we observe how some valuing practices have the power to exclude others and thereby prevent specific enactments of the fresh grain legumes. We argue that looking for valuing practices can help us understand how agrifood systems come into being, and that valuing differently can represent active involvement, both academically and practically, in encouraging change in the agrifood system. By using STS-thinking, the study brings novel insights about barriers towards more plant-based diets and contributes to the diversification of theoretical perspectives on sustainable transitions.

Effects of water deficit at different stages on growth and ear quality of waxy maize.

Extreme weather has occurred more frequently in recent decades, which results in more frequent drought disasters in the maize growing season. Severe drought often decreases remarkably plant growth and yield of maize, and even reduces significantly the quality of maize production, especially for waxy maize. To study the changes in plant growth, fresh ear yield, and fresh grain quality of waxy maize under water deficits occurring at different growth stages, and further strengthen the field water management of waxy maize, water deficit experiments were carried out under a rain shelter in 2019 and 2020. Water deficit treatments were imposed respectively at the V6-VT (DV6-VT), VT-R2 (DVT-R2), and R2-R3 (DR2-R3) stages of waxy maize, and treatment with non-water deficit in the whole growing season was taken as the control (CK). The lower limit of soil water content was 50% of field capacity for a water deficit period and 65% of field capacity for a non-water deficit period. In this study, water deficits imposed at V6-VT and VT-R2 stages decreased plant growth rate and leaf gas exchange parameters, accelerated leaf senescence, and limited ear growth of waxy maize, which resulted in 11.6% and 23.1% decreases in grains per ear, 19.4% and 7.3% declines in 100-grain weight, 20.3% and 14.2% losses in fresh ear yield in 2019 and 2020 growing seasons, respectively, while water deficit at R2-R3 stage had no significant effect on ear traits and fresh ear yield, but the fresh ear yield with husk of DR2-R3 decreased by 9.1% (P<0.05). The obvious water deficit imposed at the V6-VT and VT-R2 stages also lowered grain quality. Water deficits at the V6-VT and VT-R2 stages led to accelerated maturity, resulting in increased total protein, starch, and lysine content in grains at the R3 stage and decreased soluble sugar content. Principal component analysis revealed that when water deficits occurred in the waxy maize growing season, they firstly altered maize physiological processes, then affected ear characteristics and yield, and finally resulted in significant grain quality changes. In conclusion, a water deficit during V6-VT and VT-R2 not only reduced fresh ear yield but also adversely affected grain quality. However, water deficit during R2-R3 had little effect on total protein, starch, and soluble sugar content,but increased obviously lysine content. The above results suggested that avoiding serious water deficits at the V6-VT and VT-R2 stages of waxy maize while imposing a slight water deficit at the R2-R3 stage has not only little effects on fresh ear yield but also a remarkable improvement in grain quality.

Two-stage annealing treatment to uniformly refine the microstructure, tailor δ precipitates and improve tensile properties of Inconel 718 alloy

In order to further improve the tensile properties of Inconel 718 alloy, a novel two-stage annealing method was employed, which involved cold rolling, primary annealing, secondary annealing and aging treatment. The evolution of microstructure and precipitates were analyzed by OM (optical microscope), EBSD (electron backscattered diffraction) and EPMA (electron probe microanalyzer). For the conventional single-stage annealing method, the cold-rolled sample was directly annealed at 950 ℃ for 1 h (0–950 sample). The recrystallization behavior competed with the precipitation of δ phase during annealing, as a result, clustered needle-like δ phases precipitated along a specific direction. Besides, the bimodal distribution of grain size indicated the microstructure of 0–950 sample was not uniform. However, for the two-stage annealed sample, the primary annealing at 1010 ℃ for 45 s lowered the recrystallization barrier, causing the recrystallization behavior prior to the precipitation of δ phase during subsequent secondary annealing at 950 ℃ for 1 h (45s–950 sample). As a result, numerous granular δ particles precipitated along the fresh grain boundaries and uniformly refined grains were obtained in the 45s–950 sample. The 45s–950 sample after aging treatment had an excellent combination of tensile strength (∼1140 MPa) and total elongation (∼25 %) when deformed at 650 ℃. For the room temperature properties, the ultimate strength was about 1490 MPa and the corresponding elongation was ∼ 20 %. The results showed that the appropriate two-stage annealing can improve the microstructure uniformity, refine the grains and tailor the precipitates, all of which were contributors to the enhanced mechanical performance.

Foliar Brassinolide Sprays Ameliorate Post-Silking Heat Stress on the Accumulation and Remobilization of Biomass and Nitrogen in Fresh Waxy Maize

Heat stress (HS) during grain filling is an extreme environmental factor and affects plant growth and development. Foliar application of exogenous brassinolide (BR) is an effective practice to relieve HS injuries, but the influence on the accumulation and remobilization of biomass and nitrogen is still unclear. In the present study, the effect of foliar BR application at the silking stage on the accumulation and remobilization of biomass and nitrogen in fresh waxy maize under ambient (28/20 °C) and high (35/27 °C) temperatures during grain filling were studied in a phytotron using heat-sensitive Yunuo7 (YN7) and heat-tolerant Jingkenuo2000 (JKN2000) as materials. HS reduced the fresh ear yield by 21.8% and 19.8% in YN7 and JKN2000, respectively, but fresh grain yield was only reduced in the heat-sensitive hybrid (6.9%) and unaffected in the heat-tolerant hybrid. BR application improved the yields of fresh ears (11.3% and 10.9% in YN7 and JKN2000, respectively) and grains (19.9% and 13.2% in YN7 and JKN2000, respectively) under HS, and the increases were higher in YN7. HS decreased the post-silking biomass accumulation by 67.3% and 51.8%, and nitrogen deposition by 61.9% and 50.5%, in YN7 and JKN2000, respectively. The remobilization of pre- and post-silking biomass and nitrogen were increased and decreased by HS in YN7, respectively, but both were unaffected in JKN2000. Under HS, BR application increased the remobilization of post-silking biomass and nitrogen in both hybrids. The grain nitrogen concentration was increased by HS but decreased by BR application in both hybrids. The harvest index of biomass and nitrogen was increased by HS, and it was improved in YN7 and unaffected in JKN2000 by BR application under HS. In conclusion, BR application at the silking stage can relieve HS injuries on fresh waxy maize yields by improving the remobilization of biomass and nitrogen to grain and increasing the harvest index, especially in the heat-sensitive hybrid. Therefore, foliar BR application is a simple, feasible, efficient practice in fresh waxy maize production and is worth popularizing, especially under warmer climates.

Bio- Chemical test on Gram Varieties Protein of Fresh and Infected Grain Against Callosobruchns Maculatus

The maximum present of protein was recorded PUSA-256(24.67) at par by KGD – 1168, Pant G-186, Kw-168 having 24.32, 23.42, and 23.67 percent respectively. The infected grain by Callosobruchus maculatus minimum KPG-59 (21.06) and maximum infected grain protein PUSA – 256 (25.07) percent. The fresh grain protein was found PUSA-256 (24.67) and minimum KPG-59(21.06).

Appropriate Fodder Last Cut Date to Enhance Forage, Seed Production and Benefit Cost Ratio of Alfalfa Crop

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) due to its palatable, nutritious and multicut nature achieved most importance in forage crops. In Pakistan, the demand of alfalfa fodder and grain is increasing day by day, present scientific research was conducted to observe the impact of last forage cut date on fresh forage and grain yield with maximum income and benefit cost ratio (BCR) of “Sargodha Lucern, 2002” alfalfa cultivar. The research trial was cultivated at research area of FRI (Fodder Research Institute) Sargodha, Pakistan during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Nine alfalfa last forage cutting dates 1st March, 10th March, 20th March, 30th March, 10th April, 20th April, 30th April, 10th May and 20th May were randomized in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) having four replicates. The findings indicated statistically considerable differences in forage, grain production and components of yield with gross income and benefit cost ratio. It is concluded that both fodder and grain yield enhanced upto last forage cut date 20th April. After that seed yield reduced for each cut and fodder yield enhanced continuously upto last fodder cut date 20th May. Last cut date (20th May) for fodder produced statistically higher forage yield (54.5 t ha-1) and seed tonnage (229.75 kg ha-1). Lowest forage yield (20.5 t ha-1) was observed in 1st March last cut date. Maximum seed tonnage was obtained by 20th April last cut date with maximum net return (Rs. 452500) and BCR (3.66). As considering yield components, when fodder last cut was taken on 20th April, alfalfa cultivar Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced significantly maximum pods per raceme (58.25), 1000 grain weight (2.11 g), number of raceme (285.75 m-2), seed per pod (3.91) and also average grain tonnage (298.75 kg ha-1). It was considered that Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced higher grain yield with higher income return when fodder last cutting was taken on 10th to 20th April and also temperature remained between minimum 17°C to maximum 40°C with relative humidity below 50%.

Determinants of Post-harvest Losses of Pineapple: A Farm-level Study in Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh

Aims: Post-harvest losses are acknowledged as one of the major reasons for fresh grain production, especially fruit production in most developing countries. Thus, the present study is highlighted the perishable nature of the food and inefficient post-harvest management are one of the key reasons for fruit (pineapple) losses in the Moulvibazar district.&#x0D; Study Design: This article is about determinants of post-harvest losses study and is placed on empirical analysis. It was carried out to find out what factors influence pineapple post-harvest losses at the farm level.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Sreemangal, Barlekha, Kulaura, Juri, and Rajnagar Upazilas were purposively chosen for this study because they represent the five most important pineapple producing locations in the Moulvibazar district. The study period was the harvesting season of pineapple from April to June 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Structured questionnaires were used to collect relevant information during face-to-face interviews with 320 pineapple farmers who were chosen using simple random sampling. Then the data were examined using descriptive and inferential statistics such as chi-square and factor analysis.&#x0D; Results: The descriptive analysis shows that, based on the ranking of percentage, all pineapple farmers (100%) were engaged in the marketing of pineapple in order to reduce losses by exploring both direct and indirect means to sell their produce. This means that in order to avoid losses, finding a market for pineapples is important. There was a substantial link between the level of education (P=0.049), farm size (P=0.000), farm experience (P=0.021), yield (P=0.000), and post-harvest losses, as per chi-square analysis. Furthermore, according to the findings of the factor analysis, harvesting, grading, sorting, storage, packaging, transportation, and marketing are all aspects that affect post-harvest losses of pineapple at the farm level in the study area. Implementing proper storage and packaging facilities can reduce pineapple farmers' losses and make it easier for them to market their products year-round. Moreover, sorting and grading pineapple increases its price, enabling more effective marketing.&#x0D; Conclusion: It has been shown that the transportation system has a substantial impact on pineapple distribution in the study area. Thus, it is logical to say that the transportation infrastructure should be upgraded in order to reduce pineapple post-harvest losses.

Effect of porcine plasma on growth and health of Holstein calves

The objective of this trial was to compare the health and performance of calves provided high feeding rates of a whey-based all-milk-protein calf milk replacer (MR) with those fed an MR containing either 5% or 10% porcine plasma, which replaced, respectively, either 15% or 30% of the whey-based proteins in the MR formula. A total of 320 male Holstein calves weighing a mean (± SD) of 47.8 ± 4.1 kg were sourced from local dairy farms, auction facilities, and local order buyers. Calves arrived at the research facility in 4 batches of 80 animals each and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) MR composed of whey-based milk proteins (control group); (2) whey replacement of 5% spray-dried porcine plasma (replacing 15% of protein); or (3) whey replacement of 10% spray-dried porcine plasma (replacing 30% of protein). Calves were housed in individual pens for the first 56 d of the experiment and offered, twice daily, a 26% crude protein (CP), 20% fat MR standardized using synthetic amino acids to 2.4% lysine, 0.8% methionine, and 1.6% threonine. Amounts of MR offered from wk 1 to 8 were 0.65, 0.78, 0.91, 1.04, 1.04, 0.78, 0.52, and 0.325 kg/d, respectively. Calves were also offered a 20% CP texturized calf starter from d 0 to 56 and then transitioned over 7 d (d 56–62) of a 50% calf starter and 50% corn and pellet ration with 2% straw to a corn and pellet ration with 2% straw (18.1% CP) for the remainder of the experiment (d 63–77). Calves were individually weighed upon arrival, weekly through d 56, and at d 77. Grain was fed ad libitum, and remaining grain was weighed weekly to determine weekly consumption. Remaining grain was discarded and was replaced with fresh grain that was weighed and recorded. All milk was offered individually via bucket twice daily, and refusals were recorded following milk feeding by weighing back the remaining unconsumed milk solution. Calves were health scored twice daily, and any medical treatments or mortality were recorded. Time to mortality and medical treatments were analyzed using survival analysis, health scoring data were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and growth was evaluated using a mixed repeated-measures linear regression model. No differences in mortality or incidence of diarrhea were noted between groups. Although there was a high incidence of respiratory disease (65%), no differences were found between groups. Over the entire experimental period, calves gained 67.0 ± 14.9 kg; however, no differences in growth among groups were noted, with the exception that, on d 77, BW was greater for calves in the control group (115.8 ± 15.5 kg) compared with those fed a MR with 5% porcine plasma (113.4 ± 17.8 kg). No differences were found between groups with respect to feed conversion. In this study, an MR composed of either 5% or 10% spray-dried porcine plasma performed comparably to a whey protein–based MR.

Process analysis of SO3 removal by Ca(OH)2 particles from flue gas

SO3 in coal-fired flue gas will cause equipment corrosion and the emission of sulfuric acid mist. The performance of injecting the alkaline adsorbent into the flue gas to remove SO3 is affected by the adsorption of SO2 in the flue gas. Taking Ca(OH)2 as a typical alkaline adsorbent, a model describing the adsorption of SO3 and SO2 by Ca(OH)2 particles was established, based on the combination of the product-island-growth model and the grain model. The parameters in the model were determined by the experimental data of adsorption in the fixed-bed reactor. The adsorption process of a single Ca(OH)2 particle was studied by numerical simulation. The adsorption of SO3 and SO2 was found to involve two stages: (1) In the early stage when there existed unreacted grain surface in the particle, SO3 and SO2 mainly reacted with the left fresh grain surface. The SO3 adsorption was controlled by internal pore diffusion and surface reaction, in which internal pore diffusion played a major role. The SO3 adsorption showed a shrinking core mode. The SO2 adsorption was controlled by internal pore diffusion and surface reaction and occurred throughout the entire particle. The SO3 adsorption selectivity at the outer surface of the particle was the highest, and decreased with a decreasing dimensionless particle radius R/R0. (2) In the later stage when the grain surface was completely reacted, the SO3 adsorption was controlled by internal pore diffusion and product-layer diffusion, in which product-layer diffusion played a major role. The SO2 adsorption was controlled by product-layer diffusion. The product-layer diffusion coefficient in the SO3 adsorption process was significantly higher than that of the SO2 adsorption, so SO3 was still significantly adsorbed in the later stage. The adsorption process of Ca(OH)2 under different particle structure parameters showed that decreasing the particle radius and increasing the particle porosity and specific surface area increased the SO3 removal efficiency as well as the total conversion of Ca(OH)2. Decreasing the particle radius and the specific surface area and increasing the particle porosity increased the SO3 adsorption selectivity by Ca(OH)2. When preparing industrial adsorbents, the optimization of the particle porous structure should be given attention.

Bakery properties of spelt wheat grain depending on fertilization and storage period

The article presents the study results of spelt wheat grain baking properties depending on fertilization and storage period. Europe (huskless) winter spelt wheat variety obtained by hybridization of Triticum aestivum L./Triticum spelta L. was studied. For fertilization, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, granular superphosphate, potassium chloride were used. Spelt wheat grain was stored for a year without air access at an unregulated temperature regime dry (moisture content during storage – 13.0–13.5 %) in airtight polyethylene sleeves in the conditions of usual storage. It was found that spelt wheat has a high response to the application of nitrogen fertilizers. The protein content increased from 18.6 to 22.8 % in P60K60 + N120 variant. The spelt wheat grain quality varied depending on the storage period. Thus, before storage, the gluten content was 41.1–50.4 % depending on the fertilizer variant. The lowest indicator was in the control variant and for P60K60 introduction – 41.1–41.2 %. In other fertilizer variants, the gluten content was at the level of 49.1–49.9 %. The largest was in P60K60 + N60S70 + N60 –50.4 % variant or 9 % compared to the control. Storage had a positive effect on the gluten content in spelt wheat grain as its content increased signifcantly. It can be explained by the post-harvest grain ripening, in the process of which the protein-proteinase complex changes due to the oxidizing action, oxygen, in particular. Thus, after storage for 30 days, this indicator was 41.8–52.1 % depending on the experiment variant. It was the largest when N60S70 + N60 was applied – 52.1 %, and the smallest in the variant with no fertilizers and with phosphorus-potassium (P60K60) fertilizer – 41.8–42.3 %. These indicators exceeded the gluten content before storage by an average of 1.2 abs. %. The content of protein and gluten-forming fractions is the highest after storage for 90 days. These indicators almost did not change after 180–270 days of storage. After 360 days they decreased to the grain quality indicators before storage. The gluten deformation index increased to 105–108 units of GSI instrument or by 4–8 % depending on the fertilization compared to fresh grain. Gluten moisture content decreased after 30 days of grain storage, and then increased to 68.0–69.8 % after 360 days, depending on the experiment variant. The grain acidity also increased from 3.0 to 4.0–4.1 degrees. Key words: spelt wheat, fertilization, storage, protein, gluten, dynamics, moisture content, acidity.