Grain Yield Research Articles

This article presents the results of a study on the economic efficiency of growing corn for grain, silage, and biomethane production, with the corresponding quality of the products obtained. The research was conducted on the experimental field of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University under ORGANIC-D TOV conditions in 2023-2024. The cultivation techniques included elements that are generally accepted for the cultivation area, with the exception of the factors under study. The yield of grain and green mass, the quality of the products obtained, and the yield of biomethane from corn silage were determined in accordance with established methods. Harvesting and yield accounting were carried out manually on each experimental plot. The fertilisation options studied involved the use of mineral fertilisers (N90P90K90), micronutrients (Nanovit corn) and digestate obtained through anaerobic fermentation in biogas plants. Digestate was applied at different times: basic, pre-sowing fertilisation and top dressing at a rate of 60 t/ha. It was established that the indicators of the gross grain production value, by the studied maize hybrids, averaged as follows: Amaros (FAO 230) – 51,380.3 UAH/ha, P 8754 (FAO 240) – 52,521.5 UAH/ha, Bigbit (FAO 290) – 69,193.7 UAH/ha, Bohatyr (FAO 290) – 79,784.3 UAH/ha, KWS 381 (FAO 350) – 80,730.6 UAH/ha, KWS Intelligence (FAO 380) – 84,515.9 UAH/ha, DN Anshlag (FAO 420) – 83,875.8 UAH/ha, and P 0217 (FAO 460) – 84,088.8 UAH/ha. The application of digestate from biogas plants increased the gross production value of grain maize by 8,621–19,392.9 UAH/ha (14.6–26.5%) and of silage maize by 5,448.5–9,804.3 UAH/ha. The use of mineral fertilisers in combination with the microfertiliser “Nanovit Corn” increased these values by 10,270.5–18,954.5 UAH/ha (16.4–27.6%) and 3,359.0–8,804.0 UAH/ha, respectively, compared to the control where no fertilisers were applied. The highest profitability of grain maize cultivation was recorded with triple digestate application (main, pre-sowing, and top dressing): Amaros (FAO 230) – 103.7%, P 8754 (FAO 240) – 118.5%, Bigbit (FAO 290) – 150.3%, and Bohatyr (FAO 290) – 191.6%. For KWS 381 (FAO 350), KWS Intelligence (FAO 380), and P 0217 (FAO 460), the maximum profitability values (186.7–195.5%) were obtained when digestate was applied only as a pre-sowing fertiliser. The hybrid DN Anshlag (FAO 420) demonstrated the highest profitability (183.5%) under the mineral fertiliser + microfertiliser “Nanovit Corn” scheme. A similar trend was observed for the cultivation of silage mass of the studied maize hybrids. The biogas yield from 1 hectare of the studied maize hybrids, corresponding to the respective green mass productivity, ranged from 6,645 to 10,111 m³. Such variations in biogas volume also affected the value of the produced output. The highest profitability indices for cultivating silage maize for biogas production were recorded under triple digestate application (main, pre-sowing fertilisation, and top dressing). For the hybrids, these values amounted to: Amaros (FAO 230) – 200.6%, P 8754 (FAO 240) – 209.0%, Bigbit (FAO 290) – 189.6%, Bohatyr (FAO 290) – 221.8%, KWS 381 (FAO 350) – 237.3%, KWS Intelligence (FAO 380) – 224.8%, DN Anshlag (FAO 420) – 208.8%, and P 0217 (FAO 460) – 210.3%, which exceeded the level of the control variant without fertilisers by 40.6–67.3%. From the point of view of economic feasibility, medium-late maturity hybrids are the most effective for growing silage maize.

Rice residue management and weed control strategies are critical components in sustainable rice farming systems, influencing crop growth and production. The experiment was conducted at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology research farm from the rabi season of 2022 to rainy reason of 2024 using a split-plot design. This study explores the effects of different rice residue management practices viz., RM1- Conventional tillage; RM2- Residue retention on the soil surface (Happy Seeder); RM3- Residue incorporation in the soil (Super Seeder); RM4- Surface seeding 7 DBH (Days before sowing); RM5- Surface seeding JBH (Just before sowing) and weed management practices viz., WM1- Pinoxaden 50 g ha-1 + Metribuzin 175 g ha-1 (PoE); WM2- Clodinafop-Propargyl 60 g ha-1 + Metsulfuron-methyl 4 g ha-1 (PoE); WM3- Weedy check on growth parameters viz., plant height, numbers of tillers, dry matter accumulation, crop growth, yield attributes viz., numbers of effective tillers, numbers of grains spike-1 and yield of wheat. The rice residue incorporation in the soil (RM3) was found to be over all superior under different growth parameters yield attributes and yield of wheat grain wherein, under different chemical control (WM2) Clodinafop-propargyl 60 g ha-1 + Metsulfuron-methyl 4 g ha-1 (PoE) recorded significantly higher growth parameter, yield attributes and yield of wheat. Overall, the findings suggest that strategic rice residue management, in conjunction with appropriate weed control methods, can optimize the growth and production of wheat, thereby, promoting sustainable wheat production.

Genetic diversity in maize is a valuable natural resource and plays a key role in hybrid breeding programs. The present study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic diversity among 107 tropical maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines using phenotypic traits. Significant variability was observed for all the 11 traits. Days to 50% tasseling (DFT), days to 50% silking (DFS), plant height (PH), ear height (EH), cob length (CL), cob girth (CG), kernel rows per cob (KRPC), kernel per row (KPR), shelling percent (SP), seed weight (SW) and grain yield (GY). High heritability and genetic advance were observed for the traits Viz., DFT, DFS, CL, CG and KRPC, indicating their suitability for effective selection. In contrast, traits like GY, SP, and SW showed low heritability, suggesting stronger environmental influence and the need to exploit heterosis for yield improvement. Cluster analysis of inbred lines grouped them into seven distinct clusters, with considerable inter-cluster distances, particularly between Cluster II and V. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first five PCA components explained over 80% of the total variation. Potential genetically diverse genotypes Viz., CIMMYT-19, BHG-19, UASBM-69 and AHG-76-1 were identified by the PCA biplot as promising sources for hybridization. Overall, the results showed the importance of flowering and cob-related traits for selection and demonstrate the combined utility of cluster analysis and PCA in identifying diverse parental lines, thereby providing a strong foundation for hybrid development and genetic improvement of maize.

In wheat breeding programs, several hundred crosses are performed annually, but only individuals from a few families advance to the final stages of the breeding pipelines. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the general combining ability (GCA) of wheat genotypes might enhance the breeding efficiency in selecting parents. For this reason, we tested the performance of the offspring of ~1200 parental elite lines. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS), gene ontology (GO) analysis, and genomic prediction (GP), our objectives were to i) identify marker-trait associates (MTAs) and candidate genes, ii) assess temporal allele frequency dynamics of identified MTAs, and iii) estimate prediction accuracy (PA) for key traits: Progeny Number per-Cross (PNC), grain yield (GY), and a combined index incorporating these traits (“index”). Our findings revealed a total of 13 MTAs: eight for GY, four for the “index”, and one for PNC. The GO analysis highlighted several genes involved in hydrogen peroxide metabolism and catabolism processes (H2O2), reactive oxygen species, response to oxidative stress, cell wall biogenesis, the metabolic process of modified amino acids at the cellular level, and glutathione metabolic process for the studied traits. Notably, allele frequency analysis over time indicated that most MTAs are under positive selection, likely reflecting indirect breeder-driven selection. The highest PA was reached by using the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) model for the trait GY (0.34). The identification of MTAs for PNC and GY provided insight into the biological pathways underpinning combining ability and demonstrated the potential for predicting the ability of the genotypes to be crossed. These findings might contribute to the optimization crossing strategy saving costs and increasing the breeding program efficiency.

ABSTRACT The soybean-wheat succession in subtropical and tropical regions has proven to be a viable strategy for improving soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Among soil management practices, the method of phosphorus (P) application can significantly influence grain yield (GY) and production costs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of broadcast and banded P applications on soil chemical attributes, GY, yield components, and nutrient export in a soybean-wheat succession system. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, consisting of two P application methods (broadcast and banded) and four P rates (0, 26, 52, and 87 kg ha−1), with four replicates. Two consecutive crop cycles were assessed. Soil chemical properties were influenced following the soybean cycle, with notable changes in organic carbon (OC) and P available, while after wheat, significant effects were observed on OC, P, Al3+, H+Al (potential acidity), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). In soil under no-till management with adequate available P levels, increasing P rates enhanced GY only in soybean. No significant differences were observed between broadcast and banded P application in the soybean-wheat succession cultivated in a Typical Oxisol. However, the highest P rate (87 kg ha−1) resulted in greater N, P, and K concentrations in soybean grains and increased N and Zn concentrations in wheat grains. Additionally, the Mehlich-1 and ion exchange resin extractants effectively predicted GY in soybean.

Intercropping is a very important sustainable agricultural practice enhancing crop production, soil fertility, and efficiency. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Coss. L.) are two commercially popular crops in the rabi season, which respond favorably to nutrient management because of the fact that phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) are vital to physiological and biochemical processes. Sulfur aids in protein synthesis, enzyme activation and tolerance to stress, whereas phosphorus enhances growth of roots, energy flow, and seed development. This review is a compilation of studies examining the use of phosphorus and sulfur together in intercropping systems of mustard and chickpeas. These results show that P and S alone or in combination have significant positive effects on growth traits including plant height, biomass, leaf area, and nodulation in chickpeas and oil content and protein production in mustard. Through increased absorption of water, root structure and uptake of nutrients, they reduce competition and complementary growth. The increase in yield of grains and oils are attributed to the enhancement of chlorophyll synthesis in mustard and increase in the fixation of nitrogen in the chickpeas. Additionally, by encouraging deeper roots, effective water usage, and antioxidant activity, phosphorus and sulfur increase resistance to drought and salt. Through enhanced microbial activity, these advantages support improved soil health and production. However, further study is required to determine the best dosage, when to apply it, site-specific recommendations, and interactions with other nutrients. In addition to P and S, the function of organic amendments and biofertilizers should be investigated. In conclusion, adding phosphorus and sulfur to chickpea-mustard intercropping is a viable way to improve production, growth, and stress tolerance while promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.

BackgroundA primary threat to food security stems from the expanding global population and climate change, which have increased the frequency of droughts. Owing to shifting climatic conditions, abiotic stresses such as severe drought are intensifying, reducing wheat productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the response of elite drought-tolerant wheat genotypes to water deficit stress by analysing agronomic and physio-biochemical traits, with the goal of identifying promising genotypes for breeding.MethodsTwenty wheat genotypes sourced from various national and international drought-tolerant nurseries, including a benchmark variety, were tested under water deficit and well-watered conditions over two consecutive years. The data collected included agronomic traits such as plant height (PH), days to heading (DH), days to anthesis (DA), days to physiological maturity (DPM), canopy temperature, SPAD values at different growth stages, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation above the canopy (IPARAC) and on the ground (IPAR OG), yield stability index (YSI), stress tolerance index (STI), stress index (SI), leaf area index (LAI), spike length (SL), grains per spike (GPS), 1000-grain weight (TSW), grain yield (GY; t/ha), and biomass yield (BY; t/ha).ResultsTo streamline the study, two years of aggregated data were analysed for each parameter. Drought tolerance was assessed based on grain yield, and multitrait genotype‒ideotype distance (MGIDI) indices were employed to select drought-tolerant wheat genotypes. Significant differences were observed among the wheat genotypes across all measured parameters under both conditions. Under normal conditions, correlation analysis revealed that grain yield (GY) and biomass yield (BY) had the strongest positive relationship (r = 0.75**), followed by TSW, LAI, GPS, SL, PH, DPM, and DA. In contrast, under water deficit stress, BY exhibited a notable correlation with plant height (PH) (r = 0.42). Under both irrigated and water deficit stress situations, GY had positive and substantial correlations with PH, DA, DPM, GPS, SL, the STI, and the YSI. Two of the ten main components (PCs) accounted for 52.3% and 50.4% of the overall variation under water deficit and well-watered conditions, respectively. Additionally, the genotypes were separated into three clusters via a cluster heatmap, and the most tolerant genotypes (E38, E40, E41, E35, and E33) were found to be in cluster 3, which revealed their genetic relatedness. Genotypes E9 and E29 were found to be sensitive to water deficit, whereas genotypes E40, E38, and E35 were drought tolerant, according to tolerance indices.ConclusionPlant breeders may find the MGIDI useful for selecting genotypes on the basis of a variety of characteristics because it is a straightforward and robust selection method. Among the 20 wheat genotypes, the most stable and productive were E38, E30, E35, E40, and E34, according to an analysis of MGIDI for diverse settings. This was likely caused by the high MPS (mean performance and stability) of specific traits under different situations. The features that have been identified can be used as genitors in hybridization procedures to create wheat breeding materials that are resistant to drought. The genotypes and features that were found to be drought tolerant could be used to create new genotypes that are resistant to drought stress.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07355-3.

The article presents data on the effects of individual and combined applications of mineral (NPK) and organic fertilizers on the biomass of roots, stubble residues, aboveground plant parts and grain yield of amaranth cultivated in sierozem-meadow soils of the Zeravshan Valley, Uzbekistan. The field experiments followed a two-phase design. First, the impact of different nitrogen fertilizer doses (N150-300) (combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers-P150K200) was evaluated. Second, the study examined the effects of separate versus joint applications of chemical and organic fertilizers on amaranth productivity. The application of nitrogen fertilizers against a background of phosphorus and potassium, as well as the combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers, significantly increased the mass of root and stubble residues, aboveground biomass and grain yield in amaranth plants. These findings indicate a deficiency of mobile nutrients in the soil, which limits optimal amaranth growth. Therefore, when applying nitrogen fertilizers against the background of P150K200, complete mineral fertilizers (NPK), 30 t/ha of cattle manure and combined use of 30 t/ha of manure with different NPK rates, the yield of grain and biomass of the aboveground and underground parts of amaranth increases significantly. For example, nitrogen fertilizers at rates from 150 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha against the background of P150K200 increased the amaranth yield by 4.26-27.04 c/ha or by 46.46-94.87 c/ha. The application of complete mineral fertilizers (NPK) compared to the control without fertilizers - by 8.87-20.14 c/ha or 50.06-113.66 %, 30 t/ha of cattle manure - 14.01 c/ha or 79.06 %. The combined application of 30 t/ha of manure with different rates of mineral fertilizers increased the amaranth grain yield by 16.56-20.65 c/ha or 93.45-116.53 %. However, when the rate of nitrogen fertilizers increased from 250 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha, the amaranth yield did not increase significantly. The same pattern was observed when the rate of mineral fertilizers increased from N250P175K125 to N300P210K150. Increasing the rate of mineral fertilizers against the background of 30 t/ha of manure from N100P70K50 to N150P105K75 and to N200P140K100 did not have a significant effect on the amaranth yield. However, there was a significant difference in the amaranth yield between the N100P70K50+30 t/ha of manure and N200P140K100+30 t/ha of manure variants. The best results were obtained in the variants where 30 t/ha of manure+N200P140K100 and 250 kg/ha of nitrogen were added against the background of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (P150K200). Thus, mineral and organic fertilizers improve the nutrition, growth and development of amaranth plants and significantly increase the biomass and grain yield of amaranth in the conditions of sierozem -meadow soils of the Zeravshan valley.

Rice growth and yield can be increased through various efforts, including the use of "high-yielding varieties, fertilization, soil conditioners with application of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Soil conditioners namely as biochar are carbon products that can enhance plant productivity through enhancing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil, while cytokinine benzyladenine (BA) is a PGR that has been widely documented to stimulate cell growth, cell division, and differentiation in rice plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of biochar and benzyladenine (BA) on the growth and yield of the IR Nutrizinc rice variety. Data collection was carried out in October 2024 - February 2025 in Kampung Payung Rejo, Pubian District, Central Lampung Regency. The treatments were arranged factorially (2x3) using a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Factor I was without biochar and given 20 tons/ha of biochar. The second factor was 3 benzladenin (BA) concentrations, namely 0 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm applied by spraying on the surface of the plant at 20, 30, and 40-days after transplanting, while the biochar application was implemented 2 weeks before transplanting. Observed variables included plant height, maximum tillers per clump, count of productive tillers, length of panicles, and grains per panicle, percentage of empty grains per panicle, dry harvested grain yield, dry harvest grain yield, 1000 grain weight and dry weight of the crownThe Bartlett test was employed to assess the homogeneity of variance among treatments then analysis of variance was carried outIf a notable difference existed between treatments, the BNT test was carried out at the 5% significance level. The findings indicated that applying 20 tons/ha of biochar enhanced the yield components in terms of dry harvested grain, dry milled grain, and dry shoot weight The application of 50 ppm BA was able to increase the growth and yield of grain compared to without benzyladenine (BA). The combination of biochar and BA enhanced the growth and yield of grain in terms of the number of grains per panicle, dry harvested grain, and dry milled grain. The use of 20 tons/ha biochar combined with 50 ppm BA enhanced the yield of the IR Nutrizinc

The effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics and zinc oxide nanoparticles co-exposure on nutritional quality of purple waxy maize grains.

Climate change poses a significant threat to crop production, particularly in tropical and semi-arid regions. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), a resilient C4 cereal, has high photosynthetic efficiency and abiotic stress tolerance, making it a key crop for food, fodder, and feed security. This study evaluated agronomic and physiological traits influencing the yield performance of 20 sorghum varieties under field conditions in Kerala, India. The data were analyzed using a randomized block design (RBD) in GRAPES software, and a principal component analysis was performed in R. Variety CSV 17 exhibited the highest grain yield (GY) (3760 kg ha−1) and harvest index (HI) (43), with early flowering, early maturity, a high chlorophyll content (CHL), and minimal nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium uptake. Conversely, CSV 20 produced the highest stover yield (22.5 t ha−1), associated with greater leaf thickness (LT), lower canopy temperature, taller plant height (PH), increased leaf number (LN), and extended maturity. Leaf temperature (Tleaf) was negatively correlated with the quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) and panicle length (PL), which were strong predictors of grain weight. The principal component analysis revealed that PC1 and PC2 explained 21% and 19% of the variation in the grain and stover yield, respectively. Hierarchical partitioning identified the potassium content (K%), CHL, Tleaf, leaf area index (LAI), ΦPSII, and LT as key contributors to the GY, while the SY was primarily influenced by the LN, nitrogen content (N%), maturity duration, PH, and ΦPSII. These findings highlight the potential of exploiting physiological traits for enhancing sorghum productivity under summer conditions in Kerala and similar environments.

Salinity stress is a critical global constraint to wheat production, leading to significant yield reductions and deterioration in grain quality, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran. The geographical distribution and salinity levels of soil resources vary across different regions of the country. Out of approximately 6.8 million hectares of salt-affected agricultural land in Iran, around 4.3 million hectares are constrained solely by salinity, posing no other major impediments to sustainable crop production. To address this challenge, advanced synthetic hexaploid wheat lines (SHW), created by combining novel and elite genes from tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) and wild ancestors of goat grass (Aegilops tauschii), are proposed as high-potential germplasm for enhancing bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). SHW can introduce new genes (such as biotic and abiotic stresses) lost during common wheat evolution. However, concerns remain regarding the quality of synthetic wheat compared to conventional varieties. In the context of global warming and the challenges it presents for plant breeders, particularly in the predominantly arid and dry country like Iran, this study investigates such germplasm for the first time in the region. The aim is to evaluate the performance of a large and selected panel of synthetic hexaploid wheat lines (100 lines) alongside common wheat varieties (nine genotypes) focusing on quality traits, grain-related characteristics, and salt tolerance under various environmental conditions under two consecutive growing seasons. Wide variation and high heritability values were observed for most traits, indicating that the synthetic wheat (SHW) panel possesses valuable diversity for improving salt tolerance in wheat, and the expected gain from selection will be high due to the existing variation. The results showed that grain length (LEN), grain width (WID), grain diameter (DIA), 1000 grain weight (TGW), grain yield (GY), and zeleny sedimentation (ZEL) decreased significantly under salt stress conditions. The value of grain yield, LEN, WID, hardness (HARD), sodium carbonate solvent retention capacity (SCSRC), and sucrose solvent retention capacity (SuSRC) was higher for top 10% of SHW compared to common wheat under stress conditions. The results of correlation analysis indicated that grain yield has a negative correlation with protein content (PRO) and rapid mix test (RMT). Our findings suggest that synthetic wheats present a viable option for bread production compared to conventional wheat, owing to their enhanced resilience and productivity under climate change conditions. The result of this study identified superior genotypes suited for various future studies and the development of new salt-tolerance lines with favorable quality. The Solvent Retention Capacity (SRC) method, developed by Slade and Levine in 1994, is a well-recognized tool for predicting the quality of soft wheat. The AACC 56–11.02 (manual SRC profile) and 56–15.01 (automated SRC profile) are standard methods used for accurately measuring SRC values. The SRC methods had a strong potential to differentiate the quality of wheat genotypes. The superior genotypes identified in this study can be directly utilized or introgressed into wheat breeding programs as donor parents to enhance osmotic tolerance in elite germplasm.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-18607-5.

The forage base is of great importance in animal husbandry. The forage base is strengthened by forage crops grown on agricultural land. The productivity of corn plants is a complex indicator that depends on specific growing conditions. The most important criterion for assessing productivity is its structure, since it reflects the influence of all factors on the productivity elements of a single plant. The main indicators that determine the level of corn productivity are: individual plant productivity, which is the number of developed cobs, as well as elements of its structure, including cob length, cob weight with grain, grain weight in the cob, number of rows of grains in the cob, weight of 1000 seeds. The main objective of this research is to determine the optimal sowing density to obtain high yields of corn grain of the Uzbekistan 2018 variety. In an experimental nursery planted with the grain corn variety “Uzbekistan-2018”, the height of the first cob was studied depending on the density of plants, the results obtained are presented in this article.

Thermal stress is a consequence of climate change that threatens food security, causes plant tissue damage, and harms crop production, particularly during the pollination and fertilization period and in grain-filling stages negatively impacting the number of grains, grain size, and quality. Genotype-environment interaction (GEN: ENV) complicates the selection of optimal wheat genotypes due to the complex genetic basis of yield under varying conditions. Diversified approaches were put forth in response to the pressing demand for simultaneous enhancements in high-yield performance combined with stability. This study investigates the selection of ideal wheat genotypes under thermal stress and complex GEN: ENV using stability analyses and selection indices to assess genotype performance and stability. Twenty wheat genotypes were evaluated across optimal conditions (OC) and thermal stress conditions (TSC) over three growing seasons with six ENVs. Results demonstrated significant GEN: ENV, revealing genetic variations in thermal tolerance. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI2) biplot indicated a combined variance of 99.00%, and eleven genotypes showed stable grain yield (GY) with six ENVs, three (G05, G09, and G17) were more stable. The G04, G05, G06, G09, and G18 genotypes were chosen for GY as perfect (stable and high-performance) genotypes by weighted average of absolute scores biplot (WAASB) and were also identified as the best genotypes group by WAASB-GY, with the exception of G18. Ten selection indices showed significant positive associations under GYoc and GYtsc, so they can be leveraged to detect the genotype’s high yield of GYtsc indirectly. The heritability, accuracy, and rgen: env values for most indices were high, indicating a major role of the genotypic effect in their inheritance, with the exception of the stress-non-stress production index (SNPI) index. Out of the five that were examined by WAASB, G04, G05, G06, and G09 were the top-ranking genotypes by the multi-trait genotype ideotype distance index, either before or after removing variables. This suggests that they could be examined for validation stability measures. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for ENVs variety selection, facilitating the identification of improved cultivars and supporting the development of thermal stress-resilient breeding programs.

Hulless barley has attracted considerable interest due to its nutritional qualities and relevance in the food industry. However, information on the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of hulless barley remains scarce. In order to identify optimal nitrogen input strategies for yield and quality of barley, this study evaluated NUE, grain yield (GY), grain nitrogen rate (GNR), and related yield components in 2 hulless and 8 hulled barley genotypes across four nitrogen levels (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg ha−1). Statistical analysis included analysis of variance, Exhaustive CHAID (Chi-square automatic interaction detection), and genotype-by-trait (GT) biplot. Field trials were conducted according to the split block design with three replications in 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. Hulless genotypes Ozen and Yalin underperformed in most traits except GNR. NUE, defined as grain yield gain per unit N applied, did not consistently reflect a higher GY potential since low GY in control plots could inflate NUE. Both GT Biplot and Exhaustive CHAID separated barley genotypes: Larende and Egebeyi genotypes yielded higher GY and NUE under higher N doses when other genotypes leaned toward higher GNR. Selecting barley genotypes with inherently high GY potential would yield optimal results in all N doses in terms of NUE, grain yield and quality. GT Biplot and Exhaustive CHAID analyses proved effective for identifying barley genotypes with higher GY potential and optimizing N input in agricultural systems.

Navigating Rice Culm Resilience: High-throughput Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping in indica and Tropical japonica derived Population.

Micro-sprinkling fertigation, a novel irrigation and fertilization way, can improve the grain yield (GY) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of winter wheat to meet sustainable agriculture requirements. In order to clarify the physiological basis behind the improvements, a field experiment with a split-plot design was conducted during the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 growing seasons. The main plot encompassed two irrigation and fertilization modes, namely, conventional irrigation and fertilization (CIF) and micro-sprinkling fertigation (MSF), and the subplots included four nitrogen application rates (0, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha−1, denoted as N0, N120, N180, and N240, respectively). Moreover, a 15N isotopic tracer experiment was performed to determine the distributions of nitrogen in the soil. Compared with those under CIF, the GY under MSF at N180 and N240 significantly increased by 9.09% and 9.72%, which was driven mainly by increases in the grain number (GN) and thousand-grain weight (TGW). The increase in the TGW under MSF was the result of the significantly increased net photosynthesis rate at the grain-filling stage. Notably, the number and dry weight of inefficient tillers and the number of ears with fewer than 10 grains were significantly lower under MSF than those under CIF. In addition, the 15N isotopic tracer experiment revealed that nitrogen was primarily concentrated in the 0–30 cm soil layers under MSF, which conforms well with the spatial distributions of the roots and water, and subsequently improved the NUE under N180 and N240. In conclusion, MSF enhanced both the GY and NUE at the N180 level by optimizing root–water–nitrogen spatiotemporal coordination and reducing redundant tillering.

Abstract The study of relationships between traits is essential for understanding the behavior of variables of interest and advancing breeding programs. In popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta (Sturtev) L.H. Bailey), popping expansion (PE) is considered the primary quality trait, but knowledge about the impact of agronomic traits and Fusarium spp. infection, known to directly damage grain integrity, is still limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of a set of agronomic traits and Fusarium severity on popcorn PE. Four trials were conducted in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A randomized block design with three replications was adopted, evaluating 127 S7 popcorn lines and collecting data on 14 variables. In each trial, phenotypic and genotypic correlations were estimated, and path analysis was performed using PE as the dependent variable. Correlations between kernel width (KW) × 100‐grain weight (W100), number of leaves (NL) × number of leaves above the ear (NLAE), and grain yield (GY) × prolificacy (PR) were high and consistent. KW and severity of Fusarium ear rot (SFER) showed the strongest negative genetic correlations with PE (−0.48 to −0.66 and −0.50 to −0.71, respectively), with direct effects confirmed by path analysis. GY exhibited a positive direct effect on PE in most trials, while the low correlation between these variables was attributed to indirect effects. These findings highlight the potential of grain morphology and resistance to FER as selection criteria to improve PE and suggest possibilities for simultaneous gains through integrated selection strategies.

Abstract Castor ( Ricinus communis L.) cultivars are needed with specific adaptation to environmental conditions in Durango and other states of the semi‐arid highlands of México. The objective was to develop a castor cultivar adapted to irrigation conditions and favorable rainfall (>500 mm of accumulated rain), to produce high‐quality grain and valuable castor‐oil for the industry. The cultivar ‘SAB 14’ (SB‐1 m‐2 m‐3 m‐4u) was generated by mass selection from the heterogeneous population collected in Santiago Bayacora, Dgo. SAB 14 showed yields ranging from 2.1 to 2.9 t ha −1 and an average oil content of 48%. In Durango 2020, SAB 14, compared to a commercial hybrid (378 cm), showed lower plant height (357 cm) and number of days to flowering (79 vs 90), longer primary raceme length (62 cm vs 38 cm), higher yield (2906 kg ha −1 vs 1312 kg ha −1 ), and higher 100‐seed weight (46.2 g vs 44.1 g). SAB 14 is recommended mainly for irrigated areas of the Valle del Guadiana region in Durango, although it also showed adaptation in Aguascalientes. This castor cultivar represents an option for productive reconversion and reducing seed imports and cost. SAB 14 is currently used in Durango and other states for establishing demonstration plots to evaluate its adaptability, adoption possibilities, and potential to increase the yield and quality of grain, oil, protein cake, and biofuel.

BackgroundPigeonpea is an important leguminous food crop primarily grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is a rich source of high-quality protein. Biotic (weed, disease, and insect pests) and abiotic stresses have significantly reduced the production and productivity of pigeonpea. Helicoverpa armigera, also known as the pod borer, is a major pest in pigeonpea. A substantial investigation is needed to comprehend the genetic and genomic underpinnings of resistance to H. armigera. Genetic improvement by genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) is an effective approach for developing high-yielding H. armigera-resistant cultivars. Still, no genetic markers and genes linked to this key trait have been detected in pigeonpea. In this context, a set of 146 pigeonpea minicore accessions were evaluated for four H. armigera-resistant component traits, namely, pod borer resistance (PBR), days to 50% flowering (DF), days to maturity (DM), and grain yield (GY), for three consecutive seasons under field conditions.ResultsPhenotypic data of pod borer resistance and component traits, along with the whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) data for 4,99,980 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were utilised to perform multi-locus genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis. Two models [settlement of MLM under progressively exclusive relationship (SUPER) and fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU)] detected 14 significant marker–trait associations (MTAs) for PBR and three component traits. The MTAs with significant effect were mainly identified on chromosomes CcLG02, CcLG04, CcLG05, CcLG07, and CcLG11. These MTAs were subsequently delineated with key candidate genes associated with pod borer resistance (probable carboxylesterase 15, microtubule-associated protein 5, FAR1-RELATED SEQUENCE, and omega-hydroxypalmitate O-feruloyl transferase 4), days to maturity (RING-H2 finger protein ATL7 and leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase), and grain yield (secretory carrier-associated membrane protein and glutaredoxin-C5 chloroplastic).ConclusionThese research findings reported significant MTAs and candidate genes associated with pod borer resistance and component traits. Further lab-based pod bioassay screening identified four minicore accessions, namely, ICP 10503, ICP 655, ICP 9691, and ICP 9655 (moderately resistant genotypes), showing the least damage rating and larval weight gain %, compared to the susceptible checks. After validating the significant MTAs, the associated SNP markers can be effectively utilised in indirect selection, which offers potential gains for such quantitative traits with low heritability and can improve insect management more sustainably. The significant MTAs, candidate genes, and resistant accessions reported in this study may be utilised for the development of pod borer-resistant pigeonpea varieties.