Ha-1 Grain Research Articles

Soil Test-Based Crop Response Phosphorus Calibration Study on Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L) in Liban Chukala District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Nutrient mining due to sub-optimal fertilizer use on one hand and unbalanced fertilizer use on the other have favored the emergence of multi-nutrient deficiency in Ethiopian soils. Therefore, the study was conducted on twenty-one farmers’ fields in the Liban Chukala District of East Shewa Zone of Oromia, during the main cropping seasons of 2019-2022. The study aimed to determine the economically optimum rate of nitrogen fertilizer in the first year. However, in the second two consecutive years the experiment was conducted to determine phosphorus critical (Pc) and phosphorus requirement factor (Pf and the treatments consisted of six levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) kg ha-1 combined with a single level of nitrogen (69 kg ha1) that gave a total of seven treatments. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications and the gross plot, size was 4 m x 5 m (20 m2) was used to determine phosphorus critical (Pc) and also harvested from 4m2 plot areas. The analysis of variance indicated that, thousand kernels weight, and harvest index were not significantly (p<0.05) influenced by applied NP fertilizers. On the other hand, the analysis of variance indicated that Plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, biomass yield, and grain yield were highly significantly (p <0.01) influenced by soil test-based phosphorus fertilizer application. The result indicated that the highest (87.82 cm) plant height, the highest (1013 kg ha-1) biomass, and the highest (4517 kg ha-1) grain yield were recorded by 40 kg P ha-1. Moreover, 23ppm phosphorus critical (Pc) and 9.86ppm phosphorus requirement factor (Pf) were identified for bread wheat production for the farmers of Liban Chukala District.

Determining Optimal Nitrogen Level and Soil test-based Phosphorus Calibration study for Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Dugda District, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Nutrient mining due to sub-optimal fertilizer use on one hand and unbalanced fertilizer use on the other have favored the emergence of multi-nutrient deficiency in Ethiopian soils. Therefore, the study was conducted on twenty-six farmers' fields in Dugda District of East Shewa Zone of Oromia, during the main cropping seasons of 2018-2020. These studies were conducted to determine the economically optimum rate of nitrogen fertilizer in the first year Phosphorus critical (Pc) and phosphorus requirement factor (Pf) in the second year respectively. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels of TSP (0, 100, and 200) kg ha-1 with six levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69 92, and 115) kg ha-1 that gave a total of eighteen treatments. However, in the second two consecutive years, the experiment was conducted to determine phosphorus critical (Pc) and phosphorus requirement factor (Pf), and the treatments consisted of six levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) kg ha-1 combined with a single level of nitrogen (69 kg ha-1) that gave a total of seven treatments. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications and the gross plot size was 4 m x 5 m (20 m2) were used to determine optimum nitrogen in the first year and 4m x 5m (20 m2) and phosphorus critical (Pc) and also harvested from 4m2 plot areas. The analysis of variance indicated that Plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, biomass yield, and grain yield were highly significantly (p <0.01) influenced by the main effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates. However except for the number of seed per spike, TSP fertilizer significantly (p<0.05) affect plant height and the number of seed per spike as well as highly significantly (p <0.01) biomass and grain yield of bread wheat. The highest (68.76 cm) plant height, the highest (41.02) seed per spike, the highest (8867 kg ha-1) biomass, and the highest (3293 kg ha-1) grain yield were recorded by 200

Identification of Effective Seed Dressing Synthetic Fungicide against Covered Smut of Barley

Barley is an important field crop. The present study was designed to identify the efficient seed dressing synthetic fungicide against Ustilago hordei causing covered smut of barley. The treatments included three seed dressing fungicides (Bayton 10 DS, Topsin-M, Dividend-Star 36 F.S) and 4th treatment was set as control to compare their efficacy against the disease. The findings of the treatment indicated that crop stand, seedling mortality, smut infected grains and yield characters of barley were found significantly (P<0.05) controlled with treatment of seed inoculation/ seed dressing with treated fungicides. Fungicide Topsin-M ranked first and sowing of barley with Topsin inoculated seed resulted in 198.67 seed germination m-2, 0.70% seedling mortality, 1.34 grains infected by covered smut, 2.08 percent infected grain, 413.33 spikes m-2, 38.16 grains spike-1, 10.75cm spike length and 3220.70kg ha-1 grain yield. The fungicide Bayton 10 DS ranked second and sowing of barley with Bayton inoculated seed resulted in 182.67 seed germination m-2, 1.11% seedling mortality, 2.14 grains infected by covered smut, 3.05 percent infected grain, 395.67 spikes m-2, 36.50 grains spike-1, 10.43cm spike length and 3037.70kg ha-1 grain yield. The seed dressing fungicide Dividend-Star 36 FS ranked third and sowing of barley with Dividend inoculated seed resulted in 171.67 seed germination m-2, 1.69% seedling mortality, 2.51 grains infected by covered smut, 4.85 percent infected grain, 380.67 spikes m-2, 34.61 grains spike-1, 10.30cm spike length and 2980.70kg ha-1 grain yield. The control plots, where the barley was sown without seed inoculation ranked least (4th) and resulted in 159 seed germination m-2, 3.68% seedling mortality, 3.81 grains infected by covered smut, 10.63 percent infected grain, 333.33 spikes m-2, 34.67 grains spike-1, 10.03cm spike length and 2591kg ha-1 yield of the grain. Concluded findings showed that all the treatments showed effective results as compare to control and minimized the covered smut disease in barley crop; however, among all treated seed dressing fungicides, Topsin-M fungicide was identified with better findings to minimize the disease as compared other above captioned fungicides.

Impact of Weed Control Measures on Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills

A field study was carried out at college farm of JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P. to investigate the effect of different weed control treatments on weed flora and soybean. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Nine treatments were comprised of chlorimuron-ethyl 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 g ha-1, hand weeding, mechanical weeding, combined application of weeding and chlorimuron 24 g ha-1 and lastly weedy check. Application of herbicide and weeding effectively controlled weeds flora and their density rather than weedy check. Among all the treatments hand weeding recorded higher yield attributes, yield (1.69 t ha-1 grain) and net monetary returns (`20011.7 ha-1), but it was at par with chlorimuron-ethyl 24 g/ha along with mechanical weeding, that recorded 1.69 t ha-1 grain yield and `20023.8 ha-1 NMR.

Influence of Weed Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Aerobic Rice

The present field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different chemical and non-chemical weed management practices on aerobic rice. The experiment was carried out at the Wetlands Farm of the Department of Farm Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. Pre emergence (PE) application of pendimethalin (1.0 kg ha-1), EPOE of bispyribac sodium (25 g ha-1) and EPOE of chlorimuron ethyl + metsulfuron methyl (4 g ha-1) were the chemical weed management practices. Daincha intercropping (1:1) fb spreading on 30DAS, Cowpea intercropping (1:1) fb spreading on 30DAS, Coir pith mulching (5 tons ha-1) on 3 DAS, Shredded coconut waste mulching (5 tons ha-1) on 3 DAS along with the combination of mechanical and hand weeding were the non chemical weed management practices. Pre emergence (PE) application of pendimethalin (1.0 kg ha-1) on 3 DAS fb Early post emergence (EPOE) application of bispyribac sodium (25 g ha-1) on 20 DAS recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes. Sequential application of pendimethalin and bispyribac sodium recorded 4128 kg ha-1 grain yield which was nearly 60 per cent increased over the weedy check. Coir pith mulching @ 5 tons ha-1 on 3 DAS recorded significantly lower grain yield (1840 kg ha-1) over the rest of the treatments.

Determination of soybean (Glycine max L.) production yield and yield components under metekel pawe at lowland western Ethiopia

Soybean is an important an oil seed and pulse in Ethiopia. However, the yield of this crop is limited mainly due to shortage of improved varieties suited to specific area. This field experiment was conducted during 2019/2020 cropping season to evaluate soybean varieties for yield production at conducted on farm field experiment in Metekel Zone Westeren Ethiopia in Pawe and Mandura field site the experiment contains five varieties namely Pawe-1, Pawe-2, Belesa, GTX-2644-133 and Nyala. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on days to maturity, plant height, branch number, pods per plant and grain yield and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software program. The result of this study revealed that, there was significant difference (p>0.05 or p>0.01) among varieties in all traits. The highest (2248.0 kg ha-1) and (2147.9 kg ha-1) grain yield were recorded from Parwe-2 and Pawe-1 variety, respectively among tested treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that variety Pawe-2 or Pawe-1 well performed and can be recommended for the growers in the study area and its vicinity.

Effect of Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) and STCR –Integrated Plant Nutrition System (IPNS) Based Fertilizer Prescription Equations on Maize Productivity, Economics and Soil Fertility Status in Vertisols of Northern Karnataka

A study on Soil Test Crop Response based Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR - IPNS) was conducted adopting an Inductive cum Targeted yield model in vertisols of Northern Karnataka at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka during kharif 2020-21 in order to develop STCR and STCR-IPNS fertilizer prescription equations (FPEs) for achieving desired yield targets of maize. Fertilizer doses at varying soil test values, for attaining 60, 80 and 100 q ha-1 target grain yield of maize have been worked out based on the initial soil test values of available N, P and K and the quantities of N, P and K added through farm yard manure (FYM). Using these equations, validation trials were conducted during kharif 2021-22 at MARS, Dharwad and Irrigation Water Management Research Centre (IWMRC), Belavatgi. The results of the experiment indicated that at both the locations, the per cent achievement of the targeted yield was within ± 10 % variation proving the validity of the equations for prescribing integrated fertilizer doses for maize. The highest grain yield was recorded in STCR-IPNS equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield (Dharwad -104.8 q ha-1, Belavatgi – 102.3 q ha-1) recording an increase of 67 and 69 per cent over recommended package of practices at Dharwad and Belavatgi, respectively. However, it was found to be on par with Jabalpur STCR equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield and STCR-NPK alone equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield. Higher gross returns were recorded under STCR-IPNS equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield owing to higher grain and stover yields. While STCR equation developed at Jabalpur with 100 q ha-1 target yield recorded higher net returns. The post-harvest soil available NPK indicated better build-up and maintenance of soil fertility by the soil test based fertilizer recommendation under IPNS. Targeting 100 q ha-1 grain yield for maize under STCR approach was found to be ideal in terms of yield, economics and soil fertility maintenance in vertisols of Karnataka. The fertilizer prescription equations developed for maize under IPNS can be recommended for vertisols of Northern Karnataka for achieving target yield of 100 q ha-1 with sustained soil fertility and it can be extrapolated to other agro-climatic zones of Karnataka on similar and allied soil types.

The yield of maize-soybean intercropping on Mycorrhizal inoculation treatment and plant nutrition provision in suboptimal land North Lombok, Indonesia

Mycorrhizal inoculation and plant nutrition have an important role in increasing the yield of maize-soybean intercropping in suboptimal land. The experimental design used was a factorial randomized block design with two factors, the first factor was AMF inoculation which consisted of two levels, namely M0 = without AMF inoculation and M1 = with AMF inoculation, and the second factor was plant nutrition treatment. with four levels, namely U0 = without the addition of nutrients, U1 = with the addition of 100% dose of inorganic fertilizer (maize = urea 300 kg ha-1 and Phonska 200 kg ha-1, soybean = 60 kg ha-1 Urea and 120 kg ha-1 Phonska), U2 = with the addition of 100% dose of cattle manure and U3 = with the addition of 50% dose of cattle manure (6 t ha-1) plus 50% dose of inorganic fertilizer (maize = urea 150 kg ha-1 and Phonska 100 kg ha-1, soybean= 30 kg ha-1 Urea and 60 kg ha-1 Phonska). The results showed that AMF inoculation treatment and application of 50% inorganic fertilizer plus 50% organic fertilizer gave the highest yield with maize grain weight of 4.3 tons ha-1 and soybean grain weight of 0.5 tons ha-1.

Variety and management selection to optimize pearl millet yield and profit in Senegal

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.) water-limited yield gap in Senegal is estimated at 2.2 Mg ha-1. Proper variety and management selection are critical to the sustainable intensification of millet systems. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of two pearl millet varieties and different crop management (plant density-nutrient rates) treatments on i) biomass yield, ii) grain yield, and iii) farm profit magnitude and responsiveness. The study was conducted on three sites during the 2017, 2018, and 2019 growing seasons with a total of nine site-years. Two varieties, Souna 3 (traditional) and Thialack 2 (dual-purpose), and 48 management treatments including two plant densities (37–74 × 1000 plants ha-1) and 24 different levels of nutrient combinations ranging from 0 to 149 kg ha-1 nitrogen (N, as urea), 0–67 kg ha-1 phosphorus (P2O5, as double super phosphate), 0–33 kg ha-1 potassium (K2O, as potassium chloride) and 0–14 987 kg ha-1 cow manure (M), were tested in all site-years. Thialack 2 presented greater biomass yield in three and grain yield in four site-years (out of nine site-years) relative to Souna 3. Management treatments with greatest magnitude and responsiveness produced on average 4.6 Mg ha-1 biomass yield with averaged nutrient rates of 102–37–26 NPK, 2 Mg ha-1 grain yield with averaged nutrient rates of 91–32–24 NPK, 682 USD ha-1 profit at low biomass and grain prices with averaged nutrient rates of 72–22–21 NPK, and 1183 USD ha-1 profit at high biomass and grain prices with averaged nutrient rates of 83–29–22 NPK, all at 74 thousand plants ha-1, regardless of variety used. Five to seven management practices were able to concurrently optimized biomass yield, grain yield, and farmer profit. Sustainably intensifying pearl millet systems by using improved variety and management practices have great potential to promote greater yields and farm profitability in Senegal.

Grain Yield and Economic Importance of Bio Fertilizer Rates of Soybean at Begi and Asossa Districts Western Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted on Nitisols of Asossa Agricultural Research Centre during 2017/18 to 2018/2019 cropping season toinvestigate the response of yieldpartial budget analysis to biofertilizer rates.The N fertilizer treatments considered in the study consisted of six levels (rates) of biofertilizer, one nationally recommended inorganic N and negative control of N.The treatments consists of: 125 g ha-1 (T1), 250 g ha-1 (T2), 500 g ha-1 (T3), 625 g ha-1 (T4), 750 g ha-1 (T5), 900 g ha-1 (T6), negative control (T7) and 18kg N ha-1. The treatments were laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications.The analysis of variance revealed that bio-fertilizer rates significantly (P < 0.01) affected grain yield at Begi district, while non-siginificant (p<0.05) at Asossa district. The maximum (3483.7 kg ha-1 and 1750.9 kg ha-1) grain yield was recorded from 500 g ha-1bio-fertilizer at Begi and Asossa district respectively. The application of 500 g ha-1biofertilizer had the highest net-benefit of 20850.8 ETB, followed by 125 g ha -1biofertilizer which also had a total of 20196.8 ETB net benefit at Asossa district, while the application of 500 g ha-1biofertilizerhad the highest net-benefit of 41644.4 ETB, followed by 125 g ha-1biofertilizer which also had a total of 38315.6 ETB net benefit at Begi district. The application of 500 g ha-1bio-fertilizer ha-1 had highest net benefit. Therefore, we recommended the treatment 500 g ha-1since it produced high marginal rate of return, high net benefit and relatively small total cost of production, for soybean production in Begi and Asossa area.

Evaluation of Cicer arietinum (chickpea) growth performance and yield in different soil types in Zimbabwe

Chickpea performance under different soil types is still hazy in Zimbabwe. A 3-year study to evaluate growth performance and yield of chickpea under different soils types was done at Department of Research and Specialist Services. Two chickpea cultivars (Kabuli and Desi) and 3 different soil types (Domboshava, Harare, Mazoe soils) were tested in a 2 × 3 factorial pot-experiment laid in completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates. Percentage germination, days to initial flowering and 50% flowering were recorded. Crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), total dry matter production (TDMP), grain yield and harvest index (HI) were measured. Data was analyzed for variance using JMP version 11.0 and means were separated by HSD0.05. Desi had significantly lower percentage germination and longer days to flowering than Kabuli in all soils. Kabuli under Mazoe soil had shortest (36) average days to initial flowering and both cultivars took longer (> 60) days to flower under Domboshava soil than other soils. Kabuli had highest CGR, LAR and TDMP at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after planting in Mazoe soil compared to other soils. Kabuli had highest (1.2 t ha-1) grain yield under Harare soil but with significantly the same HI to Mazoe soil. Generally, the chickpea cultivars performed better on Mazoe and Harare soils than Domboshava. Farmers can grow chickpeas in pH 4.9 clay soils and avoid sand soils pH 4.9 soils. Nevertheless, further researches to evaluate the chickpea growth performance in more than 3 soil types are required.

Evaluation & Development of Cultivation Techniques of Rainfed Maize + Sweet Potato Inter-Cropping under Indian North-Western Himalaya

Maize (Zea maize L.) is grown for human food, animal fodder, and chicken feed in India's Northwestern Himalayan Region (NWHR), which covers over 0.33 million hectares of cultivated land. In the NWHR of India, substantial soil erosion is a major challenge in maize production, resulting in low rainfed maize productivity. During the peak rainy season in NWHR, a single maize crop can only cover up to 30% of the land, leaving more bare soil vulnerable to soil erosion. Furthermore, sole maize growing only generates roughly Rs. 30,000-40,000 in net income per hectare field, making maize farming less profitable for farmers. Using a randomized block design with four replications, a field experiment was conducted with five treatments: maize-wheat (control), maize + sweet potato-wheat, maize + colocasia-wheat, maize + ginger, and maize + turmeric to conserve soil and water, increase crop productivity, and farmers profit by introducing soil conserving and high-value crops with rainfed maize cultivation. The authors discussed the developed scientific rainfed maize + sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) intercropping technique in NWHR, which had not before been devised for this region. From 8.7 t ha-1 soil loss of sole maize, maize + sweet potato intercropping can minimize it to 1.5 t ha-1 and increase maize grain yield to 3.5 t ha-1 from 3.1 t ha-1. In addition to higher maize production, the system also produced 5.0-7.0 t ha-1 of fresh sweet potato tubers. Thus, intercropping of maize + sweet potato under NWHR can reduce soil erosion while also enhance maize yield and farmers' profit in rainfed conditions.

Phule Maharshi-A Single Cross Maize Hybrid for Maharashtra

Phule Maharshi (QMH-1025), a single cross maize hybrid from public sector in Maharashtra is developed from the cross between QMI-1403 x QMI-1401 by hybridization technique. It is high yielding, orange yellow, semi-flint type, midlate maturing, resistant to Maydis leaf blight, Fusarium stalk rot, and moderately resistant to Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf & sheath blight and Charcoal rot. It is also resistant to Stem borer (Chilo partellus Sw.) in field condition. It is superior for crude protein and fibre, starch, Mn and Ca over the check Rajarshi and suitable for Kharif and Rabi season. In various states and varietal trials, the maize hybrid QMH1025 consistently recorded best performance. During Kharif season, QMH-1025 recorded 7605 Kg ha-1 grain yield, which was 37.27 percent higher than Rajarshi ( 5540 Kg ha-1) and 24.20 percent higher than the national check Bio.9637( 6123 Kg ha-1). In Rabi season, it recorded 8761 Kg ha-1 grain yield which was 19.60 percent and 29.45 percent higher than the checks Rajarshi (7326 Kg ha-1) and Bio.9637 (6768 Kg ha-1), respectively. Overall QMH-1025 recorded 27.20 percent higher yield ( 8183 Kg ha-1) over the check Rajarshi (6433 Kg ha-1) and 26.95 percent over the national check Bio.9637 (6446 Kg ha-1) in Kharif and Rabi season. The maize hybrid is released under the name ‘Phule Maharshi’ for Kharif and Rabi season for Maharashtra State in 2016.

Response of Little Millet Varieties to Different Levels of Fertilizers Under Rainfed Condition

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2016 at Post Graduate Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur Maharashtra. The objectives of experiment were to find out suitable varieties of little millet, to study the fertilizer requirement of little millet, the interaction effects of fertilizer and variety on little millet and the economics of different treatments in little millet. The growth attributing characters of little millet expressed in terms of plant height, number of functional leaves hill -1, number of tillers hill -1, leaf area and dry matter accumulation plant-1 were significantly higher in PhuleEkadashi and application of 150 per cent RDF. The Phule Ekadashi variety recorded significantly highest grain (13.45 q ha-1) and straw (16.21 q ha-1) yield over OLM 203 (viz., 9.70 and 12.83 q ha-1 grain and straw yield respectively). The fertilizer level 150 per cent RDF recorded significantly highest grain 13.40 q ha-1 and straw 16.10 q ha-1 yields followed by 125 per cent RDF 12.60 and 15.87 q ha-1 grain and straw respectively. The fertilizer level 100 per cent and 75 per cent RDF recorded lowest grain and straw yield as compared to 125 and 150 per cent RDF. The variety PhuleEkadashi recorded significantly higher net (Rs. 24695 ha-1) monetary returns, benefit cost ratio (1.84) over OLM 203 viz., net (Rs. 9695 ha-1) monetary returns, benefit cost ratio (1.33).

Assessment of yield and quality parameters of irrigated wheat under soil and foliar application of nutrients

The present experiment was conducted during the Rabi –2020-21 at experimental Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, ITM University, Gwalior Madhya Pradesh to evaluated the combined effect of soil and foliar applications of nutrients on the growth, yield, protein content and its economics in wheat (Variety, RVW-4106).The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) having three replications. The experiment consisted of eight treatment viz. T1 :Control, T2 : RDF(120 : 60 : 40 kg NPK ha-1), T3 : 50% RDF + foliar spray of 19:19:19 (1%) at 40 & 75 DAS, T4 : 75% RDF + foliar spray of 19:19:19 (1%) at 40 & 75 DAS, T5 : 50% RDF + foliar spray of 19:19:19 (1%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) at 40 & 75 DAS, T6 : 75% RDF+ foliar spray of 19:19:19 (1%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) at 40 & 75 DAS, T7 : RDF+ foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) at 40 & 75 DAS and T8 : RDF + foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) + FeSO4 (0.5%) at 40 & 75 DAS. The findings of the present study indicated that foliar application of either ZnSO4 or ZnSO4 + FeSO4 at 40 & 75 DAS with RDF recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes characters of wheat as compared to alone RDF which was comparable to 75% RDF+ foliar spray of 19:19:19 + ZnSO4 and 75% RDF+ foliar spray of 19:19:19 treatment. The maximum grain yield (44.00 q ha-1) recorded with treatment T8 (RDF + foliar spray of ZnSO4 + FeSO4) closely followed by T7 (RDF+ foliar spray of ZnSO4) and T6 (75% RDF+ foliar spray of 19:19:19 + ZnSO4) treatments with 43.52 and 42.57 q ha-1 grain yield. Whereas, The maximum net return of Rs. 69746 ha-1 was recorded under T7 (RDF+ 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4) followed by T8 (RDF + foliar spray of ZnSO4 + FeSO4) with Rs. 68908 ha-1The maximum benefit cost ratio of 3.10 was recorded with T7 ((RDF+ 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4) treatment followed by T6 (75% RDF+ foliar spray of 19:19:19 + ZnSO4) with B:C ratio of 3.09.

Weed Growth and Yield of Transplant Aus Rice (cv. Binadhan-19) as Influenced by Spacing of Transplanting and Level of Nitrogen

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from April to August 2019 to find out the effect of spacing of transplanting and nitrogen level on weed growth and yield performance of aus rice (cv. Binadhan-19). Four spacings of transplanting (25 cm × 15 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm) and four levels of nitrogen (control, 50% of RD, 100% of RD, 150% of RD and application of USG) were used in this experiment. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Nine weed species belonging to five families infested the experimental field. Among the nine species three were grasses, three were broad leaves and three were sedges. Paspalum scrobiculatum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, Oxalis europaea, Monochoria vaginalis, Nymphaea nouchali, Cyperus difformis, Scirpus juncoides and Fimbristylis miliacea were the important weeds in the experimental plots. The highest weed density at 20 DAT (14.43) and 40 DAT (17.40) were obtained from spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm, respectively. Control treatment showed maximum weed densities (15.08 and 18.41, respectively) at both sampling dates. The highest weed density (16.67) was recorded from the treatment combination of 20 cm × 10 cm spacing with control treatment at 20 DAT and the highest weed density (19.66) was recorded from treatment combination of 20 cm × 10 cm spacing with 150% of RD of nitrogen at 40 DAT. Spacing of 20 cm × 10 cm gave the highest (3.54 t ha-1 ) grain yield compared to other spacings. The highest number of grains panicle-1 was found in 20 cm × 10 cm spacing compared to other spacings used in the study. The highest grain yield (3.89 t ha-1 ) was recorded from application of USG, which was significantly higher than other nitrogen levels. The 20 cm × 10 cm spacing produced the highest grain yield (4.41 t ha-1 ) with application of USG, whereas 20 cm × 15 cm with no nitrogen (control) treatment produced the lowest grain yield (2.39 t ha-1 ). So, it can be concluded that 20 cm × 10 cm spacing of transplanting with application of USG may be used for maximization of yield of Binadhan-19 in aus season.

Densidade agronômica ótima de milho em ambientes subtropicais

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the agronomic optimal plant density (AOPD) for corn (Zea mays) in environments with a high, medium, and low grain yield, as well as to define which yield component is the most sensitive to variations in plant density. On-farm experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Júlio de Castilhos, in the 2018/2019 growing season, and of Entre-Ijuís, Jóia, Agudo, and Júlio de Castilhos, in the 2019/2020 growing season, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The production environments were classified as having a low (< 10 Mg ha-1), medium (from 10 to 16 Mg ha-1), and high (> 16 Mg ha-1) grain yield. Júlio de Castilhos was identified as a site of high yield; Jóia and Entre-Ijuís, as of medium yield; and Agudo, as of low yield. The AOPDs ranged from 60,000 to 140,000 plants per hectare in the different production environments. The AOPD was of 110,300 to 116,200 plants per hectare for the high-yield environment, 101,000 plants per hectare for the medium-yield environment, and 60,000 plants per hectare for the low-yield environment. The number of grains per row is the yield component that is the most sensitive to variations in plant density in all production environments.

RELATIVE EFFICACY OF SOME BIORATIONAL AND MICROBIAL INSECTICIDES AGAINST YELLOW STEM BORER AND WHORL MAGGOT OF BORO PADDY

A field trial was conducted at Rice Research Station, Hooghly of West Bengal during boro season to evaluate the effect of some biorational and microbial insecticides against rice insect-pests. Insecticides of different origins such as, Beauveria bassiana Balsamo-Crivelli, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, Metarhizium anisopliae Metchnikoff, spinosad, azadirechtin, and cartap hydrochloride as check, have been tested in different combinations against yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) and whorl maggot (Hydrellia spp. Robineau-Desvoidy). The lowest whorl maggot infestation was recorded in spinosad treated plots (1.84%) followed by B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (2.58%) and azadirachtin treatment (2.59%). The lowest yellow stem borer infestation as dead heart was recorded in plots treated with spinosad (2.92%) followed by M. anisopliae (3.32%) followed by azadirachtin (3.44%). The white ear head damage was recorded lowest in spinosad (8.04%) followed by B. bassiana + B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (9.25%) and M. anisopliae treatment (9.48%). The highest grain yield and straw yield of boro rice were obtained from the plots treated with spinosad (57.72 q ha-1 grain yield and 6958 kg ha-1 straw yield) followed by B. bassiana + B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (54.31 q ha-1 grain yield and 6681 kg ha-1 straw yield) followed by B. bassiana + M. anisopliae (53.47 q ha-1 grain yield and 64.58 q ha-1 straw yield). The overall results revealed spinosad as the most effective insecticide against both the insect species whorl maggot and yellow stem borer, showing minimum white ear head and dead heart with higher grain and straw yield.

Grain yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to variable rates of compost and nitrogen fertilizer integrations

Haimanot Beruk , Tewodros Ayalew & Tarekegn Yoseph.2021.Grain yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to variable rates of compost and nitrogen fertilizer integrations.Journal of Innovative Agriculture.volume 8, issue 2, Pages 17-21. Declining soil fertility is one of the major factor limiting crop productivity in Ethiopia. This experiment was therefore, conducted to evaluate grain yield response of maize to variable rates of compost and urea fertilizer integration. The experiment was arranged in factorial combination of three level of compost (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) and three levels of mineral N fertilizer in the form of urea (0, 92 and 105 Kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Hawassa University, Southern Ethiopia. The result revealed significant difference among compost levels for all of the traits studied. There is significant difference among nitrogen levels for grain yield, number of kernel per row, number of kernel per ear and hundred grins weight. Significant difference among treatments (combination of compost level and nitrogen level) were observed for grain yield, number of rows per ear, number of kernel per row, number of kernel per ear and hundred kernel weights. The combination of compost and urea at the rate of 10 t ha-1 and 105 kg ha-1, respectively, produced the highest kernel yield (11.3 t ha-1) followed by (10 t ha-1 and 92 kg ha-1) and (5 t ha-1 and 105 kg ha-1) with compost and urea combination 9.4 and 8.3 t ha-1 grain yield respectively. Generally, the combination of 10 t ha-1 compost with urea at the rate of 105 kg ha-1 resulted with 63% yield advantage compared with the control plot. It is therefore; wise to recommend 10 t ha-1 compost combinations with 105 kg of urea for improved maize yield for the farmers in the research area and areas with similar agro-ecology and resources availability.

Genetic variability in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes for anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) resistance, growth and yield related traits at Arba Minch and Derashe districts in southern Ethiopia

Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum is a major constraint that limits the production and productivity of sorghum in Ethiopia as well as in other countries. This study was carried out at Arba Minch and Derashe districts during the 2018 cropping season, March to August. The objective of the study was to identify the host resistance for anthracnose management and estimate the genetic variability in terms of resistance to anthracnose, growth, and yield potentials of sorghum. The treatments used in the study were 14 sorghum genotypes and laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results from this study showed that Arghiti, Dekeba, and 76TI#23 were found resistant, while Kolamulato-W, Konso-R, Gambella, and Seredo were highly susceptible to anthracnose. The lowest (0.25 t ha-1) grain yield was recorded from all landraces, whereas the highest (3.22 t ha-1) grain yield was obtained from the genotype Melkam. The high phenotypic and genotypic variances were figured out for the study parameters, while the environmental variance was lower than the genotypic and phenotypic variances. Low to high genotypic (21.40 to 57.94%) and phenotypic (22.66 to 95.21%) coefficients of variations were computed for the study parameters. The high heritability of 59.30 to 99.63% and the genetic advance in percent means of 20.21 to 63.10% were calculated for the study parameters. The disease parameters, like disease severity and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) (rg = 0.725), showed a strong and positive association of genotypic coefficients correlations. Also, strong and negative genotypic coefficients of correlations were observed between the disease and traits studied, like AUDPC and grain yield (rg = -0.561). The dendrogram of the sorghum genotypes using the Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic means analysis and Euclidean distances separated the genotypes into three clusters. The result from this study revealed that the sorghum genotypes noticeably varied in resistance to anthracnose as well as growth and yield potential. Therefore, sorghum producers could beneficially produce resistant, moderately resistant, and high-yielding genotypes with minimum integrated management efforts against the anthracnose. Moreover, the genetic variability and the high heritability together with, and the high genetic gain of the characters, suggest the potential of bettering the genotype for disease resistance and high yield potential through selection.