Yield Gain Research Articles

Genomic versus phenotypic selection to improve corn borer resistance and grain yield in maize.

The study of yield and resistance/tolerance to pest are related traits fundamental for maize breeding programs. Genomic selection (GS), which uses all marker information to calculate genomic breeding values, is presented as an emerging alternative to phenotypic and marker-assisted selections for improving complex traits controlled by many genes with small effects. Therefore, although phenotypic selection (PS) has been effective for increasing resistance and yield under high infestation with maize stem borers, higher genetic gains are expected to be obtained through GS based on the complex architecture of both traits. Our objective was to test whether GS is more effective than PS for improving resistance and/or tolerance to maize stem borers and grain yield. For this, we compared different selection programs based on phenotype and genotypic value for a single trait, resistance or yield, and for both traits together. We obtained that GS achieved the highest genetic gain for yield, meanwhile phenotypic selection for yield was the program that achieved the highest reduction of tunnel length, but was ineffective for increasing yield. However, phenotypic or genomic selection for increased resistance may be more effective in improving both traits together; although the gains per cycle would be small for both traits.

Integrated nutrient management for improving crop yields, soil properties, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Recently, most agrarian countries have witnessed either declining or stagnant crop yields. Inadequate soil organic matter (SOM) due to the poor physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil leads to an overall decline in the productivity of farmlands. Therefore, the adoption of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices is vital to revive sustainable soil health without compromising yield potential. Integrated nutrient management is a modified nutrient management technique with multifarious benefits, wherein a combination of all possible sources of plant nutrients is used in a crop nutrition package. Several studies conducted in various parts of the world have demonstrated the benefits of INM in terms of steep gain in soil health and crop yields and at the same time, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other related problems. The INM practice in the cropped fields showed a 1,355% reduction in methane over conventional nutrient management. The increase in crop yields due to the adoption of INM over conventional nutrient management was as high as 1.3% to 66.5% across the major cropping systems. Owing to the integration of organic manure and residue retention in INM, there is a possibility of significant improvement in soil aggregates and microbiota. Furthermore, most studies conducted to determine the impact of INM on soil health indicated a significant increase in overall soil health, with lower bulk density, higher porosity, and water-holding capacity. Overall, practicing INM would enhance soil health and crop productivity, in addition to decreasing environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and production costs.

Transcriptome profiling reveals the genes involved in tuberous root expansion in Pueraria (Pueraria montana var. thomsonii)

BackgroundPueraria is a dry root commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine or as food and fodder, and tuberous root expansion is an important agronomic characteristic that influences its yield. However, no specific genes regulating tuberous root expansion in Pueraria have been identified. Therefore, we aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Pueraria at six developmental stages (P1–P6), by profiling the tuberous roots of an annual local variety “Gange No.1” harvested at 105, 135, 165, 195, 225, and 255 days after transplanting.ResultsObservations of the tuberous root phenotype and cell microstructural morphology revealed that the P3 stage was a critical boundary point in the expansion process, which was preceded by a thickening diameter and yield gain rapidly of the tuberous roots, and followed by longitudinal elongation at both ends. A total of 17,441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the P1 stage (unexpanded) against the P2–P6 stages (expanded) using transcriptome sequencing; 386 differential genes were shared across the six developmental stages. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs shared by P1 and P2–P6 stages were mainly involved in pathways related to the “cell wall and cell cycle”, “plant hormone signal transduction”, “sucrose and starch metabolism”, and “transcription factor (TF)”. The finding is consistent with the physiological data collected on changes in sugar, starch, and hormone contents. In addition, TFs including bHLHs, AP2s, ERFs, MYBs, WRKYs, and bZIPs were involved in cell differentiation, division, and expansion, which may relate to tuberous root expansion. The combination of KEGG and trend analyses revealed six essential candidate genes involved in tuberous root expansion; of them, CDC48, ARF, and EXP genes were significantly upregulated during tuberous root expansion while INV, EXT, and XTH genes were significantly downregulated.ConclusionOur findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms of tuberous root expansion in Pueraria and candidate target genes, which can aid in increasing Pueraria yield.

Effect of three cycles of recurrent selection for yield in four Spanish landraces of maize

Landraces of maize (Zea mays L.) have a variability not found in the elite hybrids due to the bottleneck during selection. There is a renewed interest in using that variability, incorporating alleles for specific traits, or widening the general variability of elite germplasm. In Europe, there is also an interest in the direct use of local landraces by farmer’s associations seeking agriculture that preserves crop diversity. Pre-breeding programs are aimed to reduce the yield gap among landraces and improved materials. In the Misión Biológica de Galicia we have carried out three cycles of a S1 recurrent selection program for yield on four local landraces from Northwestern Spain with the objective of obtaining improved populations that might be cultivated by farmers and that could be used as sources of superior inbred lines. One hundred plants were selfed in each landrace and the S1 families were evaluated in a 10 × 10 simple lattice. The 20 S1 families with the highest grain yields were randomly intercrossed to form the selected population of each landrace. After three cycles of selection, each population and its cycles of selection were evaluated in three locations for two years. All the populations had a consistent yield gain in the first cycle of selection. However, the response in later cycles differed among the populations: one population had a continuous increase of 21% per cycle while two populations had a reduced yield in the last cycles. Our results highlight the need to include secondary traits to avoid unintentional indirect effects. We conclude that, in pre-breeding programs, it could be worthy to use large effective numbers to prevent inbreeding depression, particularly when the objective is the direct use of improved landraces. Another conclusion is that recurrent selection does not seem to be as efficient on European germplasm as it is on Corn Belt varieties. Finally, obtaining valuable new germplasm requires a sustained, long-term effort.

Weed control in wheat with pyroxasulfone and its combinations with other herbicides

AbstractField and pot investigations were conducted to determine the effectiveness of pyroxasulfone alone and its combinations with other herbicides against diverse weed flora of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) including multiple herbicide‐resistant (MHR) littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor Retz.). Applications of pyroxasulfone 100–127.5 g/ha as pre‐emergence (PE) or early post‐emergence (EPOE) @ 63.75 g/ha at 21–23 days after sowing (1 day before irrigation) were highly effective for control of grass weeds namely P. minor and wild oat (Avena ludoviciana Dur.). It was poor for control of broad‐leaved weeds (Medicago denticulata Willd. and Rumex dentatus L.). However, pyroxasulfone in tank‐mix combination with metsulfuron 4 g/ha, triasulfuron 20 g/ha, and pyroxsulam 18 g/ha effectively controlled (96.5%–99.8%) the diverse weed flora and improved the wheat grain yield (69.5%–285.9%) over untreated weedy control. Also, the pre‐mix of pyroxasulfone + pendimethalin applied as PE was superior to either of these applied alone for weed control and grain yield. Pyroxasulfone 100–127.5 g/ha had yield gain of 119.6%–125.4% and 10.1%–26% over untreated control and pendimethalin 800–1250 g/ha, respectively. In pot studies, straw burnt ash drastically reduced the pyroxasulfone efficacy against P. minor and A. ludoviciana. Pyroxasulfone was also effective in pot studies for control of MHR P. minor having resistance against acetyl‐coA carboxylase (ACCase), acetolactate synthase (ALS), and photosynthesis at the photosystem‐II site‐A (PS‐II) inhibitor herbicides (clodinafop, sulfosulfuron, and isoproturon, respectively). The studies indicate that pyroxasulfone as PE or EPOE can be an alternative grass weed control herbicide in wheat in particular for the control of MHR P. minor.

Development and Deployment of Rust Resistant Wheat Varieties in India – Insights from Technology Transfer and Policy Response from the National Seed Production Program

Wheat, a major Indian staple food crop, is largely prone to rust infection. Inter alia, wheat producers have been advocated to adopt the recently released high yielding rust resistant wheat varieties to counter the significant yield losses. In the milieu, we investigated the technological trend in seed indent followed by policy options for the transfer of technology at farmers’ fields. Research findings indicated that the wheat producers adopted old varieties. In the recent past five years, the trend hasn’t witnessed any drastic change despite several rust-resistant varieties having been tested and released for various agro-climatic conditions. Recent varieties take about 5 years to reach their peak adoption since release which is attributed to the innovative transfer of technologies. At the producers’ level, technologies (varieties) have been upscaled through frontline demonstrations, especially in cluster mode. Demonstrations resulted in an average yield gain of 699 kg/ha for innovative rust-resistant technology (HD 2967) compared to its check. Despite the increasing demand and promotion of the latest technologies, the need and availability of ‘producer choice variety’ is persisting and has to be addressed. Innovations like ‘community seed banks’, strengthening public-private partnerships, contract farming (quadpartite model), participatory demonstrations, and blockchain-enabled ‘seed tracker’ will strengthen the transfer of technology system in Indian wheat production.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MILLET YIELD IN INDIA SINCE 1991: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

This study examines the effects of climate change on millet yield in India using secondarydata for thirty years (1991-2020). The variation in agricultural millet production in India is estimatedusing average annual temperature, precipitation, CO2 emissions per capita, and the ruralpopulation. Assessing the order of integration using the unit root test and augmented DickeyFuller (ADF). Estimations of the unit root demonstrate that all variables are stationary at the leveland first difference. The autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bound test is applied to establishthe relationship between variables. The study demonstrates that the average yearly temperaturehas a negative and significant effect on millet yield, whereas, CO2 emission per capita has afavourable long-term impact on millet yield. In India, 1% increase in yearly average temperatureresults in a 3.06% decrease in millet yield, while 1% increase in CO2 emissions per capita resultsin a 0.42% gain in millet yield on average. In the short run, independent variables do not affectmillet yield. As the population of India grows, the nation will face food security issues. There is aneed for strategies to mitigate the negative impact of temperature on agricultural yield and securesufficient food for a growing population

Macro and Micro-Nutrient Accumulation and Partitioning in Soybean Affected by Water and Nitrogen Supply.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of water availability and nitrogen fertilization on plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and variables related to soybean crop yield. Trials were performed in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, using randomized blocks in a split-split plot arrangement. The plots corresponded to water regimes (full and deficient), the split plots to N fertilization (0 and 1000 kg ha-1 N-urea), and the split-split plots to harvest times of soybean plants (16, 23, 30, 37, 44, 58, 65, 79 and 86 days after emergence), with three replicates. In general, the accumulation and partitioning of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) were decreased in plants subjected to water deficit and without N fertilization. Although nitrogen fertilization promoted elevated N accumulation in tissues, it did not result in any significant yield gain, and the highest seed yields were found in plants under full irrigation, regardless of N supplementation. However, deficient irrigation decreased the seed oil content of N-fertilized plants. In conclusion, N fertilization is critical for nutrient homeostasis, and water availability impairs biomass and nutrient accumulation, thereby limiting soybean yield performance.

Whole-genome sequencing in clinically diagnosed Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease undiagnosed by whole-exome sequencing.

Whole-genome sequencing is the most comprehensive form of next-generation sequencing method. We aimed to assess the additional diagnostic yield of whole-genome sequencing in patients with clinically diagnosed Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease when compared with whole-exome sequencing, which has not been reported in the literature. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 72 families whose genetic cause of clinically diagnosed Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease was not revealed after the whole-exome sequencing and 17p12 duplication screening. Among the included families, 14 (19.4%) acquired genetic diagnoses that were compatible with their phenotypes. The most common factor that led to the additional diagnosis in the whole-genome sequencing was genotype-driven analysis (four families, 4/14), in which a wider range of genes, not limited to peripheral neuropathy-related genes, were analysed. Another four families acquired diagnosis due to the inherent advantage of whole-genome sequencing such as better coverage than the whole-exome sequencing (two families, 2/14), structural variants (one family, 1/14) and non-coding variants (one family, 1/14). In conclusion, an evident gain in diagnostic yield was obtained from whole-genome sequencing of the whole-exome sequencing-negative cases. A wide range of genes, not limited to inherited peripheral neuropathy-related genes, should be targeted during whole-genome sequencing.

Efficiency of index-based selection for potential yield in durum wheat [<em>Triticum turgidum</em> (L.) ssp. <em>turgidum convar. durum</em> (Desf.) Mackey] lines

Wheat is a socioeconomically important crop in Algeria. Improving genetic gain of quantitative traits through selection is at the core of every successful breeding program. Selection is usually performed on grain yield, but other agronomically related characteristics can also help increase genetic gain through indirect or multi-trait selection. The objective of this work was to quantify genetic parameters and compare the efficiency of direct, indirect and simultaneous selection methods in terms of predicted genetic values of wheat progenies. For this purpose, 418 F4-derived lines were evaluated for six agronomic traits including heading date, flag leaf area, plant height, number of spikes, thousand kernel weight and grain yield in an augmented block design with three check varieties. Wide genetic variation with moderately high broad-sense heritability were observed for the recorded traits, except for heading date. The results from genetic gain revealed variation in gains for assessed traits and breeding methods employed. The classic index of Smith and Hazel (SHI) demonstrated a similar genetic gain in grain yield compared to gain from direct selection. Generally, the selection-based index showed the highest responses considering all traits simultaneously with a slight inferiority of the SHI index. The coincidence rates among the evaluated indices were higher than those obtained between the measured traits. Based on the comparisons between the selected lines, the SHI index and the selection base index of Williams were similar to grain yield and can reach up to 79.51% coincidence of breeding lines identified by these selection criteria. Breeding lines L252, L34, L24, L130 and L413 were the most common individuals identified according to number of coincidences from the different selection methods used. Of these, L34 and L24, and to a lesser extent L15 can be considered promising wheat lines for improving grain yield.

Climate mitigation sustains agricultural research and development expenditure returns for maize yield improvement in developing countries

Governmental expenditure on agricultural research and development (R&D) has played a substantial role in increasing crop yields in recent decades. However, studies suggest that annual yield growth rates would decline in a warming climate compared to that in a non-warming climate. Here, we present how projected climate could alter maize yield gain owing to a US$ 1 billion increase in agricultural R&D expenditure (referred to as yield response) for 71 maize-producing countries using global gridded crop model simulations with socioeconomic and climate scenarios as inputs. For the middle of this century (2041–2060) under the low warming scenario (shared socioeconomic pathways: SSP126), the median yield response between countries is estimated to be the highest at 27.2% in the low-income group, followed by 6.6% in the lower-middle-income group, 1.0% in the high-income group, and 0.1% in upper-middle-income group. The projected median yield response for lower (the low- and lower-middle)-income groups under the high warming scenario (SSP585) was approximately half than that under the low warming scenario: 27.2% → 15.6% for the low-income, 6.6% → 1.7% for the lower-middle-income, and 1.0% → 0.6% for the high-income groups. For the upper-middle-income group, where there is limited room for adopting high-yielding technology and management already being used in higher (the high- and higher-middle)-income groups, the negative impacts of climate change cannot be offset and yields are projected to decline, even with continued R&D investments (0.1% → –0.2%). Even if the R&D expenditures increase at the same value, expected yield gains will depend on future warming levels. This finding suggests that climate mitigation is a prerequisite for maintaining the yield returns from agricultural R&D investments in developing countries.

Technical and Economic Irrigation Potentials Within Land and Water Boundaries

AbstractTo satisfy the increasing global demand for agricultural products, the expansion of irrigation is an important intensification measure. At the same time, unsustainable water abstractions and cropland expansion pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Irrigation potentials are influenced by local biophysical irrigation water availability and competition of different water users. Using a novel hydro‐economic data processing routine that considers economic criteria of water allocation via a productivity ranking of grid cells and both land and water sustainability criteria, we estimate global irrigation potentials at a 0.5° spatial resolution. We show that there is considerable technical potential to expand irrigation within local water and land boundaries. In terms of potentially irrigated areas on all global land suitable for crop production, 2,144 Mha could be irrigated within land and water environmental boundaries when only considering biophysical criteria. However, not all of these areas would actually be irrigated under consideration of irrigation costs. Of these, only 698 Mha (330 Mha) have a yield gain of more than 300 (600) USD ha−1 under the current crop mix valued at their current commodity price (economic irrigation potential).

How the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine can affect the global wheat food security?

Introduction: This study examines the potential impacts of Russia-Ukraine armed conflict on the consumption and trade of wheat and wheat food security. Russia and Ukraine jointly supply more than one-fourth of total wheat in the international market. Because of the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, wheat export from these two countries is heavily disrupted. Applying an ex-ante impact assessment procedure, this study examines the potential impacts of Russia-Ukraine armed conflict on the consumption and trade of wheat and wheat food security.Methods: This study considered 115 countries and grouped them based on their geographic location. The sampled countries are grouped as: South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, North Africa, Middle East, and rest of the world. Simulation results are presented by the geographic location of the sampled countries. To assess the potential impacts of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia armed conflict on wheat food security in the sampled countries, this study mainly sourced data from FAOSTAT. This study first calculates the share of wheat consumption imported from Russia and Ukraine. Then, this study calculates the daily total calorie and protein intake exclusively from the imported wheat from Russia and Ukraine in the sampled countries by their groups. It is found that 1 kg of wheat provides roughly 2,839–2,965 kilocalories (kcal) of energy, and between 81 and 88 g (gm) of protein, in the sampled countries. Using the conversion factors, this study assesses the impacts of a reduction of wheat exports in the global market due to the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine applying an ex-ante assessment process. Specifically, this study assumes a 100% and 50% reduction in wheat exports by Russia and Ukraine, and then estimates its impact on daily calorie and protein intake in the sampled countries.Results: The ex-ante simulation shows that, under the assumption of a 100% reduction of wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine and assuming alternative wheat import sources are unavailable, yearly per capita wheat consumption would be reduced by 19% in South Asia, 57% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 26% in Southeast Asia, nearly 39% in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and 27% in other areas. Consequently, daily per capita calorie intake in South Asia would fall by more than 3%, in Sub-Saharan Africa by more than 6%, in Southeast Asia by 2.2%, in Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa by 14%, and in the other countries of our study by 6.2%. A 50% reduction of wheat exports by Russia and Ukraine without substitute supplies of wheat grain would also substantially reduce wheat consumption as well as daily calorie and protein intakes from wheat, in the sampled countries.Discussions: Malnutrition and hunger are widespread in many countries of Asia and Africa that depend on wheat and other imported cereals to meet their rising food demand. Rising wheat prices, particularly in countries that rely on imported wheat, can lead to violence and social unrest, as occurred during 2007-11. Based on the findings, to avoid hunger and supply shock related disaster in the future, this study urges to search alternative sources of wheat for the import-dependent, resource-poor countries. Eventually, as there are few alternatives to increase wheat supply other than enhancing yield gain, this study strongly suggests for steady public funding for adaptive and basic research to harness genetic gains for yield and climatic adaptation in wheat. Also, in the long run, it is necessary to explore the possibility of wheat area expansion in the suitable countries. For example, a recent study confirmed the potentiality of wheat area expansion in Argentina and Brazil. Also, there is also a possibility of expansion of wheat area in Sub-Saharan African countries. Exploring opportunities for the expansion and sustainable intensification of wheat production in suitable countries can be instrumental to ensuring self-sufficiency in wheat supplies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The efficiency of cassava–Bambara groundnut intercropping according to the sowing date of cassava

The objective of this study was to propose a profitable cropping association date between cassava (Manihot esculenta) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea, also known as voandzou) through the examination of competition indices. The association of the cassava varieties Allada agba, Bonoua, Six mois and Yacé with the bouquet and creeping morphotypes of Bambara groundnut was tested at different cassava sowing dates: 0, 15 and 30 days after sowing of the bouquet Bambara groundnut and 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing the creeping Bambara groundnut. These cropping association systems were evaluated through competition indices in Côte d’Ivoire: the area–time equivalent ratio (ATER), the competitiveness rate (CR) and the relative dominance coefficient (K). ATER and K values were greater than unity when cassava was sown 15 to 30 days after sowing the bouquet Bambara groundnut and 30 to 45 days after sowing the creeping Bambara groundnut. Cassava varieties were more competitive than the Bambara groundnut morphotypes (CRC > CRV). The best results in terms of efficient land use (ATER > 1) and yield gain (K > 1) were obtained when cassava was sown 30 days after Bambara groundnut. However, for the Bonoua–Bambara groundnut creeping association, the yield gain was obtained when cassava was sown 45 days after Bambara groundnut.

Using Geospatial Information to Map Yield Gain from the Use of Azospirillum brasilense in Furrow

The application of biological products in agricultural crops has become increasingly prominent. The growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense has been used as an alternative to promote greater yield in maize crops. In the context of precision agriculture, interpreting geospatial data has allowed for monitoring the effect of the application of products that increase the yield of corn crops. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of Kriging techniques and spectral models through images in estimating the gain in yield of maize crop after applying A. brasilense. Analyses were carried out in two commercial areas treated with A. brasilense. The results revealed that models of yield prediction by Kriging with a high volume of training data estimated the yield gain with a root-mean-square error deviation (RMSE%), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE%), and R2 to be 6.67, 5.42, and 0.88, respectively. For spectral models with a low volume of training data, yield gain was estimated with RMSE%, MAPE%, and R2 to be 9.3, 7.71, and 0.80, respectively. The results demonstrate the potential to map the spatial distribution of productivity gains in corn crops following the application of A. brasilense.

Genetic trends for yield and key agronomic traits in pre-commercial and commercial maize varieties between 2008 and 2020 in Uganda.

Estimating genetic gains is vital to optimize breeding programs for increased efficiency. Genetic gains should translate into productivity gains if returns to investments in breeding and impact are to be realized. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic gain for grain yield and key agronomic traits in pre-commercial and commercial maize varieties from public and private breeding programs tested in (i) national performance trials (NPT), (ii) era trial and, (iii) compare the trends with the national average. The study used (i) historical NPT data on 419 improved maize varieties evaluated in 23 trials at 6-8 locations each between 2008 and 2020, and (ii) data from an era trial of 54 maize hybrids released between 1999 and 2020. The NPT data was first analyzed using a mixed model and resulting estimate for each entry was regressed onto its first year of testing. Analysis was done over all entries, only entries from National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), or private seed companies. Estimated genetic gain was 2.25% or 81 kg ha-1 year-1 from the NPT analysis. A comparison of genetic trends by source indicated that CIMMYT entries had a gain of 1.98% year-1 or 106 kg ha-1 year-1. In contrast, NARO and private sector maize entries recorded genetic gains of 1.30% year-1 (59 kg ha-1 year-1) and 1.71% year-1 (79 kg ha-1 year-1), respectively. Varieties from NARO and private sector showed comparable mean yields of 4.56 t ha-1 and 4.62 t ha-1, respectively, while hybrids from CIMMYT had a mean of 5.37 t ha-1. Era analysis indicated significant genetic gain of 1.69% year-1 or 55 kg ha-1 year-1, while a significant national productivity gain of 1.48% year-1 (37 kg ha-1 year-1) was obtained. The study, thus, demonstrated the importance of public-private partnerships in development and delivery of new genetics to farmers in Uganda.

Productivity and technological quality in sugarcane ratoon under subsoiling between planting rows in the northeast region of Brazil

Different soil management systems can change the sugarcane yield and quality parameters for sugar/ethanol production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of subsoiling on the inter-row of sugarcane ratoons after the second harvest on productivity and technological quality. Productivity was estimated in tonnes of sugarcane per hectare (TSH), and technological quality parameters were apparent sucrose percentage (Pol) and total sugar recoverable per hectare (TRS). The apparent sucrose percentage and total recoverable sugar were measured in tonnes per hectare, corresponding to the parameters TSH and total recoverable sugar in tonnes per hectare (TTRSH), respectively. This research was carried out at the Experimental Sugarcane Station at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco in the northeast region of Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used, with two treatments: conventional tillage and inter-row subsoiling. Subsoiling provided a significant gain of stalk yield of 5.53 tonnes per hectare. The other parameters evaluated did not differ significantly.

Impacts of fertilization management strategies on improved sorghums varieties in smallholder farming systems in Mali: Productivity and profitability differences

Sorghum is an important cereal crop cultivated by smallholder farmers of Mali, contributing significantly to their food demand and security. The study evaluated different fertilization strategies that combined organic and inorganic fertilizer applications with three sorghum varieties. The experiments were conducted over three cropping seasons (2017–2019) in three sites (Bamako, Bougouni, and Koutiala respectively) within the Sudanian region of Mali. Our results showed a significant effect of season, variety, and fertilization strategies on grain and stalk yields. Grain yield increased by 8–40% in Koutiala, 11–53% in Bougouni, and 44–110% in Bamako while the average stalk yield was above 5000 kg ha−1 with fertilized treatment compared to unfertilized treatment in the three sites. Fadda performed the best variety, mean grain yield was 23% and 42% higher than that of Soumba and Tieble, respectively. Similarly, there was a progressive increase in grain yield with an increasing level of poultry manure (PM) from 0 to 150 g/hill and cattle manure (CM) from 0 to 100 g/hill. However, the application of 100 g/hill of CM and PM plus 3 g/hill of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) increased yield by 8% and 12% respectively compared to only CM or PM treatments. The results further revealed higher yield gain by 51% (Bamako), 57% (Koutiala), and 42% (Bougouni) for T10-[PM (100 g/hill) + Micro-D_DAP (3 g/hill)] equivalent to 73 kgNha−1 than others (T2-T9), but not proportionate to the highest value-cost ratio (VCR). Radar charts used to visualize sustainable intensification (SI) performance in the three domains (productivity, profitability, and environment) showed that the environmental variable has a direct influence on productivity, meanwhile profitability across the strategies ranged from low to moderate value across sites and different fertilizer strategies. Our study, therefore, recommends the use of multiple-choice fertilizer strategies includingT2-CM (50 g/hill)+PM(50 g/hill), T5-DAP-Micro-D (3 g/hill), T6-DAP41:46:00 and T9-PM(50 g/hill) alongside with improved sorghum varieties tested, for higher productivity and profitability across the region.

Effect of different methods of inoculation and co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium spp. and Azospirillum brasilense on soybean agronomic performance in fields with a history of inoculation

ABSTRACT The yield gain of soybean inoculated with Bradyrhizobium spp. or co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium spp. and Azospirillum brasilense is variable. Inoculants can be applied in the sowing furrow or via seed treatment. There is a gap in our understanding of the efficacy of different inoculation methods. This study aimed to assess the agronomic efficiency of soybean inoculated and co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium spp. and A. brasilense by different methods. The study was conducted in Paraná State, Brazil, in two seasons. Five treatments were tested: control; seed treatment with Bradyrhizobium spp. (SBr), seed treatment with Bradyrhizobium spp. + A. brasilense (SBr+Az), in-furrow treatment with Bradyrhizobium spp. (FBr), and in-furrow treatment with Bradyrhizobium spp. + A. brasilense (FBr+Az). Shoot dry weight, grain nitrogen content and grain yield were lower in 2018/19. In 2017/18, FBr+Az increased nodule number and dry weight compared with SBr. FBr+Az promoted a 47% increase in pods per plant compared with the control in both seasons. Regardless of season, grain nitrogen content was higher with FBr+Az (mean relative increase of 27%). FBr+Az was superior to SBr+Az in 2017/18, with a 12% increase in yield. Inoculation and co-inoculation improve morphological traits and soybean yield. In-furrow inoculation is more efficient than seed treatment.

Cover Image, Volume 63, Issue 2

Crop ScienceVolume 63, Issue 2 COVER IMAGEFree Access Cover Image, Volume 63, Issue 2 First published: 16 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20784AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract On the cover: Historical sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) trial of US commercial breeding program for characterization of yield gain and related traits.See companion articles Mayor et al. (https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20897) and Demarco et al. (https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20845; https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20763). Photo credit: Paula Andrea Demarco. Volume63, Issue2March/April 2023 RelatedInformation