Harvest Index Values Research Articles

Nitrogen use efficiency for seed and oil yield in some Moroccan rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties under contrasting nitrogen supply

In the actual context of climate change and increasing oil and nitrogen prices, oil crops varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) will be highly appreciated. As no studies on NUE in spring rapeseed have been carried out in Mediterranean area, including Morocco, this work aimed to assess responses of six rapeseed varieties to six nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 Kg N/ha) and their NUE for grain and oil yields. The experiment was conducted according to a split-plot design with three replications, during two cropping seasons. Results showed that increasing nitrogen rate from 0 to 120 kg N/ha led to a significant increase in seed, oil and dry matter yields up to 85.3, 72.35 and 97.9%, respectively. NUE, NUpE (nitrogen uptake efficiency) and NUtE (nitrogen utilization efficiency) decreased by increasing nitrogen application. Regarding oil content, it was negatively affected by nitrogen fertilization, declining from 40.78% for control to 37.77% for 150 kg N/ha. Likewise, nitrogen use and nitrogen utilization efficiency for oil production (ONUE & ONUtE) were negatively affected by nitrogen application. The genotypic variation was statistically significant for all investigated traits. The variety hybrid ‘Trapper’ was the most interesting for ONUE, NUE, seed yield and dry matter. However, for oil yield it was comparable to ‘Moufida’ and ‘Alia’ which showed the highest values for harvest index, branching, pods number per plant, oil content and ONUE. These varieties grown under 120 kg N/ha treatment can be recommended for Morocco.

Effects of Biochar Type on the Growth and Harvest Index of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

This study examined using peanut shells, rice husks, and cocoa husks as soil conditioners to boost yields in Allium cepa var. Alvara onions. Three types of biochar and four application rates (1%, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) were compared to a control with no biochar. The biochars had different nutrient makeups, with cocoa husk biochar (CHB) containing the most essential elements. While overall plant growth (height, leaves, and roots) was not significantly affected (p > 0.05) by any biochar type compared to the control, some plant parts responded differently. CHB (5%) and peanut husk biochar (PHB) (1%) yielded the tallest onion plants (71 and 65 cm), while 1% rice and cocoa biochar resulted in the shortest (below 42 cm). PHB (3% and 5%) produced the longest roots (9 cm), while 1.5% rice husk biochar (RHB) had the shortest. Biochar application had no significant effect on leaf count. However, specific application rates of RHB and PHB increased the harvest index (HI), indicating more efficient yield allocation. HI values > 0.85 were obtained with specific biochar rates (e.g., 1.0–1.5% PHB, 1.5–5% RHB, or 5.0% CHB).

Morphological and Agronomical Characterization in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm and Combined Study of Heritability, Genetic Variance, Genetic Advances and Association of Characters

The present experiment was carried out during Rabi 2021-2022 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110 (U.P.). The material used in the present study comprised 103 germplasm accessions of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) having variability for various agronomic and morphological characters were obtained from the available germplasm in the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, SVPUA&T, Meerut. The number of genotypes are 103 including four check (DBW-71, DBW-222, DBW-173, HD-3226), the Plot size is10 row 2.5m length spaced at 0.25m and the date of sowing is 20 December, 2021 on Augmented experimental design. Twelve observations were recorded. In each plot, five plants from each genotype were arbitrarily selected and tagged to record the observations studied characteristics except days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity they were recorded on plot basis. The highest value of biological yield per plant was estimated in CSW-18 (45.16g), DBW-621 (51.45%) recorded a high value of harvest index and the maximum grain yield is from CSW-18 (15.94) g. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for gluten content, grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and number of productive tillers per plant.

Quantifying physiological contributions to yield loss in response to planting date in short-season cotton under a cotton[sbnd]wheat double-cropping system

Crop yield is primarily determined by physiological parameters, including light interception by the canopy (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI). However, little information is available about how these physiological parameters are impacted by planting date and what their contributions are to cotton yield loss. To evaluate the relative contribution of each physiological parameter to planting date-associated yield loss in cotton, an experiment was conducted during the 2019 to 2021 growing seasons at a field site in Anyang, Henan, China. Two contemporary cotton cultivars were grown in the field with four different planting dates (PDMAY10, PDMAY20, PDMAY30 and PDJUN10) for the growing seasons from 2019 to 2021. The measurements included climatic parameters, seed cotton yield, yield components, HI and biweekly leaf area index, light interception and biomass. First, seed cotton yield was significantly affected by the planting dates, with yields ranging from 1984 to 3388 kg ha−1, averaged across cultivars and years, while a significant difference between the first three planting dates was observed only in 2021. Second, the planting date significantly impacted the total light interception during the growing season (IPARtotal) and HI, while IPARtotal and HI decreased with the delayed planting date in all the years of the study. Compared to PDMAY10, IPARtotal was 0.34%, 13.2%, and 19.9% lower for PDMAY20, PDMAY30 and PDJUN10, respectively. Averaged across cultivars and years, PDMAY10 resulted in the highest HI value (0.28). The RUE gradually decreased as the planting date was delayed, but a significant difference in RUE between planting dates was observed only in 2021. Overall, among the three physiological yield-driving parameters, IPARtotal was a stronger contributor (46.9–47.0%) to the yield loss for PDJUN10 than PDMAY10 and PDMAY20. However, when compared to PDMAY30, HI was the greatest contributor, accounting for approximately 72.5% of the seed cotton yield loss for PDJUN10, followed by IPAR. We found that when cotton sowing in the Yellow River basin was postponed until June 10, the cotton yield was significantly reduced, and IPAR and HI were the main factors responsible for PDJUN10 yield loss on average. This study identified the most important functional traits for seed cotton yield response to planting date and has important reference value for stable cotton production.

Faba bean and pea harvest index estimations using aerial-based multimodal data and machine learning algorithms.

Early and high-throughput estimations of the crop harvest index (HI) are essential for crop breeding and field management in precision agriculture; however, traditional methods for measuring HI are time-consuming and labor-intensive. The development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with onboard sensors offers an alternative strategy for crop HI research. In this study, we explored the potential of using low-cost, UAV-based multimodal data for HI estimation using red-green-blue (RGB), multispectral (MS), and thermal infrared (TIR) sensors at 4 growth stages to estimate faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) HI values within the framework of ensemble learning. The average estimates of RGB (faba bean: coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.49, normalized root-mean-square error [NRMSE] = 15.78%; pea: R2 = 0.46, NRMSE = 20.08%) and MS (faba bean: R2 = 0.50, NRMSE = 15.16%; pea: R2 = 0.46, NRMSE = 19.43%) were superior to those of TIR (faba bean: R2 = 0.37, NRMSE = 16.47%; pea: R2 = 0.38, NRMSE = 19.71%), and the fusion of multisensor data exhibited a higher estimation accuracy than those obtained using each sensor individually. Ensemble Bayesian model averaging provided the most accurate estimations (faba bean: R2 = 0.64, NRMSE = 13.76%; pea: R2 = 0.74, NRMSE = 15.20%) for whole growth stage, and the estimation accuracy improved with advancing growth stage. These results indicate that the combination of low-cost, UAV-based multimodal data and machine learning algorithms can be used to estimate crop HI reliably, therefore highlighting a promising strategy and providing valuable insights for high spatial precision in agriculture, which can help breeders make early and efficient decisions.

Ekmeklik Buğday Çeşitlerinde Başaklanma Döneminde Uzaklaştırılan Bazı Fotosentez Organlarının Tarımsal Özellikler Üzerine Etkisinin Belirlenmesi

Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezinde 2018-2019 yıllarında yürütülen bu çalışmada, ekmeklik buğday çeşitlerinde başaklanma döneminde bazı fotosentez organlarının uzaklaştırılmasının verim ve kalite özellikleri üzerine etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada iki ekmeklik buğday çeşidi (Pehlivan ve Golia) materyal olarak kullanılmış olup araştırma tesadüf bloklarında bölünmüş parseller deneme desenine göre üç tekerrürlü olarak yürütülmüştür. Çeşitlerin başaklanma dönemlerinde kesilerek uzaklaştırılan fotosentez organlarının elde edilen sonuçlara göre bitki boyu, başak boyu, başakta başakçık sayısı, başakta tane sayısı, başakta tane ağırlığı, bin tane ağırlığı, hektolitre ağırlığı, sedimantasyon değeri, gluten oranı ve hasat indeksi değerlerini önemli ölçüde azalttığı belirlenmiştir. Buna karşılık protein oranında artış gözlemlenmiştir. Kılçıklı bir çeşit olan Golia çeşidi uygulamalardan kılçıksız bir çeşit olan Pehlivan çeşidine göre daha fazla etkilenmiştir.

Physiological contributors to yield in advanced cotton breeding lines

AbstractCotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield can be expressed as the product of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI). Studies comparing genetic diversity in functional yield drivers for the progeny of elite breeding lines are limited or non‐existent. A field study was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons to characterize crop development and to evaluate yield and underlying yield drivers in 16 advanced breeding lines (F7 generation). Significant breeding line differences existed for lint yield, cutout date, reproductive, vegetative, and total biomass, RUE, and HI but not for IPAR. The lint yield for the lowest yielding lines was 24% lower than the highest yielding line with a lint yield of 1706 kg ha−1. Differences in RUE were not associated with single‐leaf photosynthetic rates. HI positively contributed to lint yield gain for most lines evaluated, whereas RUE was negatively correlated with lint yield for the majority of breeding lines evaluated. However, in the two highest‐yielding lines, two different strategies of yield maximization were identified. One line exhibited the earliest cutout date, reduced biomass production, low RUE, and the highest HI values, whereas the other line had the latest cutout date and produced the highest total biomass, highest RUE, and a low to intermediate HI. Breeding lines used in the current study achieved high yields by differentially manipulating underlying physiological components such as RUE, biomass accumulation, or dry matter allocation to fiber. Our work provides future direction for efforts aimed at maximizing yield through the selection for functional yield drivers.

In-Field Rainwater Harvesting Tillage in Semi-Arid Ecosystems: I Maize-Bean Intercrop Performance and Productivity.

The purpose of this study was to monitor and compare the growth and productivity of maize/beans sole and inter-cropping systems under conventional (CON) and in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) tillage practices. During the typical drought conditions of the 2018/19 growing season, seven homestead gardens of smallholder farmers (four in Paradys and three in Morago villages) in the Thaba Nchu rural communities of South Africa were selected for on-farm demonstration trials. Two tillage systems CON and IRWH as the main plot and three cropping systems as sub-treatment (sole maize and beans and intercropping) were used to measure crop growth and productivity parameters. The results showed that IRWH tillage had significantly higher above-ground dry matter for both sole maize (29%) and intercropped maize (27%) compared to CON treatments. The grain yield under both tillage systems showed that IRWH-Sole >> IRWH-Ic >> CON-Sole >> CON-Ic, with values ranging from 878.2 kg ha-1 to 618 kg ha-1 (p ≤ 0.05). The low harvest index values (0.21-0.38) could have been due to the effect of the drought during the growing season. The results of precipitation use efficiency (PUE) showed that the IRWH tillage was more effective at converting rainwater into maize biomass and grain yield compared to CON tillage. However, the different cropping systems did not show a consistent trend in PUE. During the growing season, the PUE for AGDM varied for different tillage and cropping system treatments in Morago and Paradys. For maize, it ranged between 10.01-6.07 and 9.93-7.67 kg ha-1, while for beans, it ranged between 7.36-3.95 and 7.07-3.89 kg ha-1 mm-1. The PUE for grain yield showed similar trends with the significantly highest values of PUE under IRWH tillage systems for the Morago sites, but there were no significant differences at the Paradys site in both tillage and cropping systems. There is a critical need, therefore, to devise alternative techniques to promote an increase in smallholders' productivity based on an improved ability to capture and use resources more efficiently.

Quantifying physiological contributions to nitrogen-induced yield variation in field-grown cotton

The effect of nitrogen (N) application rate on lint yield and yield components have been studied extensively in cotton. However, reports quantifying contributions to N-induced yield loss and the response of intra-boll yield components to N deficiency are far less common. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the effect of N application rate on lint yield biomass and fiber quality in cotton, 2) assess the contributions of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and harvest index (HI) to N-induced yield loss in cotton, and 3) characterize the effect of N application rate on yield component responses in cotton. An experiment was conducted at a field site near Tifton, Georgia, USA during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with five replications and five nitrogen application rates (0, 44, 89, 134, and 179 kg N ha−1). The studied parameters were lint yield, IPAR, RUE, HI, fiber quality, yield components, and yield loss contributions. Lint yield was significantly affected by N application rate, with yields ranging from 1452 to 1848 kg ha−1. Similarly, total IPAR was 23% lower for the 0 kg N ha−1 treatment than the 134 kg N ha−1 treatment, and IPAR contributed significantly to yield loss, with a 427 kg ha−1 loss attributable to IPAR under N deficiency. RUE was 37% higher for the 179 kg N ha−1 treatment than the 0 kg N ha−1 treatment and contributed positively to yield in the highest N rates (179 kg N ha−1). However, yield improvements due to RUE were mitigated by low HI values in the highest N application rate. Boll density was the most strongly and positively associated yield component parameter with N-induced variability in lint yield, whereas lint percent and lint production per seed were negatively associated with lint yield. Among the three physiological yield-driving parameters, light interception by the canopy was the primary contributor to N-induced yield loss. Boll density was the primary yield component governing N-induced variation in lint yield. Increased N application rate promotes greater dry matter partitioning to seeds than fiber, resulting in more seeds per boll and lower lint percent, lint weight per seed, and individual fiber weight. The results contained here identify the most important functional traits for determining lint yield response to N application rate.

Cobalt enhanced the drought-stress tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by mitigating the oxidative damage and enhancing yield attributes

Water scarcity is one of the most important abiotic factors limiting rice growth and productivity. The application of nutrients affects various physiological and biochemical mechanisms to curtail water deficiency, but little is known about the ameliorative effects of cobalt (Co) on rice. Our study aimed to investigate the advantageous effects of soaking in Co at the optimum concentration (10 and 44.5 µM) on morpho-physiological traits and oxidative stress, during the vegetative and reproductive stages, also assessing yield attributes, in two rice varieties (Sakha 104, drought-sensitive, and Giza 178, drought-tolerant). Treatments included control (100% field capacity (FC)), moderate drought stress (75 % FC), and severe drought stress (50 % FC) either alone or in combination with Co. A water deficit and oxidative stress affected Giza 178 less than Sakha 104. Co application significantly enhanced the performance of two rice varieties under drought stress by increasing plant height, biomass, water content, tillering, leaf area, pigments (chlorophyll a, carotenoids, total chlorophyll), sugars (soluble sugars, and total carbohydrates), and Co content (shoot and root). Also, Co significantly increased the performance of the antioxidant system by elevating the concentration of total phenols, flavonoids, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase), while significantly decreasing chlorophyll b, malondialdehyde, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl. Yield attributes such as the number of tillers, panicle parameters (number, length, and weight), 100-grain weight, harvest index, and grain nutritive value (sugars, vitamin B, and Co contents) were significantly enhanced by Co in both varieties. However, the maximum performance was observed in Giza 178.

Assessment of Late Sown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes under High Temperature Stress Conditions

In recent years, climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather conditions, including high-temperature stress. High temperature stress is the term for an increase in temperature (> 30°C) following anthesis during grain development. Wheat is particularly vulnerable to high temperature stress, and its productivity is severely affected. With the objective of identifying wheat genotypes tolerant to heat stress in terms of grain yield, a total of fifty wheat genotypes were evaluated under heat stress conditions at Directorate of Agricultural Research, Lumbini Province, Khajura, Banke in 2021/22. There was highly significant difference (<0.001) among genotypes for yield. The association between the grain yield (GY) and the biomass yield (BM), thousand grain weight (TGW), and spike number per meter square (SPMS), was highly significant and positive. The highest harvest index value of 0.59 and the highest grain yield were achieved from 20HTWYT#36 (4133 kg/ha), followed by Bandganga (3992 kg/ha), 20HTWYT#23 (3978 kg/ha), 20HTWYT#11 (3943 kg/ha), and 20HTWYT#05 (3758 kg/ha) exhibiting higher tolerance to high temperature stress and indicating the potential for this genotypes to be used as domain specific varieties suitable for heat stress conditions of Banke district and forbreeding climate resilient varieties in the future.

Tillage intensity by organic fertilization interaction on sunflower performance and some soil properties

Abstract A field trail was performed to study the impacts of soil tillage system and some organic and inorganic fertilizers treatments on sunflower performance and soil characteristics in the semi-arid region across 2015–2016 growing season. The tillage systems were (T1) conventional tillage, and (T2) reduced tillage while the fertilizer treatments were (F1) control, (F2) 20 t ha−1 farmyard manure, (F3) 40 t ha−1 farmyard manure, (F4) 20 t ha−1 farmyard manure plus 50:25:25 kg ha−1 NPK, (F5) 100:50:50 kg ha−1 NPK. The two-way entry (treatment) by tester (trait) biplot tool, described 84 % of the observed variability (68 % and 16 % by the first two principal components, respectively). The which-wins-where pattern, showed six vertex treatment (tillage system × fertilizer type) as: T1-F1 which had the highest values for bulk density; T1-F3 which had the highest values for days to maturity, organic matter and root depth; T1-F5 which had the highest values for soil phosphorus and harvest index; T2-F1 which had the highest values for mean emergence time; T2-F3 which had the highest values for soil potassium and achene yield; and T2-F4 which had the highest values for soil nitrogen. The ideal treatment pattern indicated that T2-F4 was the best treatment combination. We found that the best performance for sunflower achene yield was obtained with using reduced tillage system plus F3 or F4 fertilizer treatments. Finally, application no fertilizer or using only chemical fertilizers could not improve sunflower performance in both tillage systems.

Nano-Hydroxyapatite and ZnO-NPs Mitigate Pb Stress in Maize

Heavy metals (HMs) stress, particularly lead (Pb) stress, is one of the most hazardous environmental stresses that can negatively affect plants’ growth, yield, and quality. Therefore, the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 50 mg L−1), nano-hydroxyapatite (HP-NPs; 50 mg kg−1), and their combination on growth, physiological, and yield traits of maize grown in soil contaminated with Pb (i.e., 100 mg kg−1) were investigated. The results showed that Pb stress significantly reduced plant leaf area by 50.9% at 40 days after sowing (DAS), 55.5% at 70 DAS, and 54.2% at 100 DAS in comparison to the unstressed plants (control). However, the combined application of ZnO-NPs (50 mg L−1) + HP-NPs (50 mg kg−1) reduced the adverse effects of Pb on plant growth in terms of increasing leaf area by 117.6% in plants grown in Pb-contaminated soil (100 mg kg−1). Similarly, the combined application of ZnO-NPs + HP-NPs resulted in increments in the total chlorophyll content by 47.1%, photosynthesis rate by 255.1%, and stomatal conductance by 380% in comparison to that obtained from maize stressed with Pb. On the other hand, antioxidants such as sodium dismutase (SOD; 87.1%), peroxidase (POX; 90.8%), and catalase (CAT; 146%), and proline content (116%) were significantly increased as a result of Pb stress compared to unstressed plants. Moreover, N, P, K, and Zn contents in the whole plant grown under Pb stress were decreased by 38.7%, 69.9%, 46.8%, and 82.1%, respectively, compared to those obtained from the control. Whereas the combined treatment of ZnO-NPs (50 mg L−1) + HP-NPs (50 mg kg−1) resulted in increased uptake of plant nutrients and, consequently, the highest values of ear weight, grain yield, and harvest index were obtained. Furthermore, the combined application of HP-NPs + ZnO-NPs in contaminated soil reduced Pb uptake in plant biomass by 77.6% and grains by 90.21% in plants exposed to Pb stress. In conclusion, the combined application of ZnO-NPs and HP-NPs significantly improved growth, physiological traits, antioxidants, and yield as well as elemental uptake of maize grown under Pb stress.

Brassica carinata nutrient accumulation and partitioning across maturity types and latitude

AbstractAs a recently introduced crop in the United States, there are limited data regarding temporal nutrient accumulation and partitioning dynamics of Brassica carinata (carinata). A four site‐year study was conducted in Jay, FL and Salisbury, NC during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 growing seasons. Three carinata genotypes (DH‐157.715, M‐01, and Avanza 641) proposed by the industry to represent early‐, mid‐, and full‐season genotypes, respectively, were sampled at multiple growth stages and partitioned into leaves, stems, reproductive parts (flowers plus pods), and seed to determine biomass and nutrient accumulation across three genotypes in Florida and one full season genotype in North Carolina. Averaged over two site‐years and genotypes in Florida, accumulation (per ha) of 169 kg N, 22 kg P, 160 kg K, 58 kg S, 475 g Zn, and 218 g B was required to produce 1635 and 10,872 kg ha−1 of seed yield and biomass, respectively. Nutrients with high harvest index values included P (60%), N (55%), S (32%), and Mg (29%). Averaged over two site‐years in North Carolina, accumulation (per ha) of 178 kg N, 26 kg P, 87 kg K, 24 kg S, 416 g Zn, and 127 g B produced 2428 and 9102 kg ha−1 of seed yield and biomass, respectively. Nutrients with greatest harvest index values were P (57%), N (50%), S (32%), and Mg (26%). Internal efficiency of N, P, and K, measured as slopes of seed yield regressions over nutrient uptake across all genotypes and locations were 16, 83, and 8 kg seed yield per kg N, P, and K uptake, respectively. These results describe temporal nutrient accumulation and partitioning in carinata and are critical to refine nutrient management strategies and guide fertilizer application decisions.

Seasonal Changes in Photosynthate Partitioning in High Yielding Sweet Potato Varieties under Varied K Nutrition Levels

Background: Potassium is a major nutrient needed by the crops including tuber crops. It is essential for tuber initiation and bulking process. Varietal differences in potassium uptake and utilization in many crops were reported. As many varieties of sweet potato are released so far, studies on understanding the variations in potassium accumulation and its influence on tuber yield are essential. Methods: Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons, 2021 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence and potassium nutrition [0 kg K2O/ha (K1), 50 kg K2O/ha (K2), 75 kg K2O/ha (K3) and 100 kg K2O/ha (K4)] on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties - four high yielding varieties (HYV) and one local variety [Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. There were 20 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Result: Significantly higher tuber yield (17.01 t/ha) during kharif season was recorded by variety Bhu Sona. But during rabi season, Sree Arun was superior with a tuber yield of 23.92 t/ha. The potassium nutrition up to 75 kg K2O/ha increased the yield of sweet potato in rabi season. Interaction effect of two factors was also significant with respect to tuber yield, total chlorophyll content and tuber K content. Potassium Harvest Index (%) and Potassium Accumulation Value (g/plant) also significantly varied between varieties and K levels.

Technological Quality of Potato Tubers: Effect of Potassium Fertilization and Application Time

The effect of potassium fertilization and time of application on yield and tuber quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Agria) was studied in Bekaa region in Lebanon. Potassium was applied in one split at tuber initiation (T1) and at tuber bulking (T2) in four different rates: K0 (0 kg/ha), K1 (100 kg/ha), K2 (200 kg/ha) and K3 (300 kg/ha). Results showed that aerial dry matter decreased and tuber dry matter increased during the growing period. The dry matter accumulation was dependent on potassium fertilization. Potassium concentration gradually decreased in leaves and increased in tubers during the growing period, while the most potassium treatment (K3) has accumulated at harvest, higher potassium concentrations in leaves and tubers, with more emphasis to application time T2 with respect to T1. Moreover, potassium has accelerated significantly (p<0.05) tuber dry matter accumulation. This was revealed by growth rate and harvest index values that were significantly higher (p<0.05) in K3 treatment with comparison to other treatments. Results also showed that fresh tuber yields increased with potassium fertilization and were more pronounced with T2 application whereas K3 had significantly (p<0.05) the highest value of 62.9 t/ha (K3). Yield augmentation was primarily due to an increase in tuber size in the larger (> 60 mm) and the medium (35 – 60 mm) grades. In addition, results showed that tuber dry matter content and specific gravity were statistically dependent on potassium fertilization and application time (p<0.05). The highest potassium treatment K3, regardless of application time, gave the best tuber quality of industrial potato by having the highest dry matter and the lowest reducing sugar contents. Finally, the results of this study suggest that maximum potato yield was obtained with K3 treatment (300 kg/ ha) applied during tuber bulking stage (T2).

Effect of AMF propagule dosage forms on the growth and production of Amaranthus tricolor L.

Red spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L) contains vitamins (A, B2, B6, K, and folate), proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and calcium. Red spinach also contain anthocyanins (red pigments) that function as antioxidants to prevent free radical oxidation. The use of biofertilizers can give benefits to the soil and plants. Mycorrhizal fungi can be used as a type of biological fertilizer. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in powder dosage forms can help the growth of plants. However, this dosage form has disadvantages, so a study is needed to determine the effectiveness of AMF in various dosage forms. This study applied the Latin Square Design (LSD), with three treatments of AMF propagule dosage forms, namely: tablets, sachets, and powders, without AMF application as a comparison/control. The results showed that the effectiveness of AMF propagule in dosage form sachets provided a reasonable infection rate with fertile plant growth and harvest index value was not significantly different from other dosage forms, due to the attack of plant-disturbing organisms before harvest. So, further research is needed to determine the effect of the AMF propagule dosage form in physiological review without invasion of plant-disturbing organisms.

Impact of Irrigation Scheduling, Moisture Conservation Practices and Nutrient Management on Performance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Rabi seasons 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Students’ Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, situated at 125.9 meter altitude, 26.491220 North latitude, 80.3070120 East longitude, to study “Impact of irrigation scheduling, moisture conservation practices and nutrient management on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)”. The experiment consisted three irrigation scheduling viz: I1: two irrigations at CRI and Jointing stage, I2: three irrigations at CRI, Jointing and Booting stage and I3: Four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage, two moisture conservation practices viz: M0: without mulching and M1: Organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray and three nutrient management practices viz: N1: 100% RDF (150:60:40 kg ha-1 NPK), N2: 85% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 and N3: 75% RDF + FYM @ 10.0 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in double split plot design with three replications. On pooled basis of two years experimentation the results indicated that, four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage (I3) recorded highest value of grain yield (4381.60 kg ha-1), straw yield (6651.15 kg ha-1) and harvest index (39.70 %) with profitability in terms of net return (Rs. 83908.79 ha-1), under moisture conservation practices, organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray (M1) recorded significantly highest grain yield (4230.40 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6578.57 kg ha-1). Among the nutrient management treatments, 85% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N2) also recorded maximum grain yield (4117.60 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6338.71 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 77770.83 ha-1) compared to other treatments.

Evaluation of Triticale Lines Compared to Wheat Cultivars in Terms of Agronomic Traits Using Supervised Learning Methods and Multivariate Statistics

The first man-made cereal grain triticale merges the yield and quality potential of wheat with tolerance of rye against environmental stresses. To find the traits with the greatest impact on the superiority of triticale over wheat, four promising triticale lines and six bread wheat varieties were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the field of the Agricultural Research Station of Shiraz University, Iran. Attribute weighting algorithms revealed main leaf width (MLW), grain number per spike (GN/S), spikelet number per spike (SN/S), 1000-grain weight (TGW), plant height (PHT), main leaf length (MLL), and grain yield (GYLD) as the most discriminative traits between triticale lines and wheat cultivars. According to the principal component analysis, the first two components explained 33.46% and 24.79% of the total variation in traits, respectively, while the first component was more positively correlated to GYLD, TGW, GN/S, SN/S, leaf number (LN), and MLW. Stepwise regression study showed that grain yield as a dependent variable has been modeled as a function of the independent variables GN/S, days to heading (DHE), and SN/S. Triticale and wheat clusters, respectively, were created using cluster analysis for genotypes. Integrating results of supervised learning methods and multivariate statistics indicated that GN/S and SN/S traits can be used to create a selection index for high yield. Furthermore, the M45 triticale line with the highest value of harvest index, GYLD, and GN/S can be introduced as a promising line for high-yield production. This study specify the key grain yield-related traits being subsequently used to increase the yield of bread wheat cultivars and triticale lines.

Under Natural Field Conditions, Exogenous Application of Moringa Organ Water Extract Enhanced the Growth- and Yield-Related Traits of Barley Accessions

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the preferred crop in arid regions, particularly for farmers with limited agricultural resources and low income. Typically, it is utilized for human consumption, animal feed, and malting. The discovery of natural (organic) sources of biostimulants has attracted a great deal of interest for crop productivity enhancement. Using a randomized complete block design with three main blocks, it was our aim to investigate the effects of foliar moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) organ extract (MOE) on the growth and yield components of a collection of barley accessions grown in Iraq. As indicated by the obtained results, almost all traits associated with barley growth and yield productivity were significantly enhanced by MOE application, relative to the respective control condition. The majority of barley accessions responded positively to the MOE treatment based on all studied traits (with the exception of 1000-kernel weight). According to the results of principal component analysis (PCA), the distribution of accessions on the two components under the MOE application was distinct from the distribution of accessions under control conditions, indicating that accessions responded differently to the MOE application. In addition, the distribution pattern of traits under MOE treatment was comparable to the distribution pattern of traits under the control condition, with the exception of two traits: total yield and 1000-kernel weight. AC5 and AC18 responded positively to the MOE application by possessing the highest total yield and harvest index values. The total yield trait registered the highest increasing value index (37.55%) based on the trait response index, followed by the straw weight (22.29%), tillering number per plant (21.44%), and spike number per plant (21.36%), while the spike length trait registered the lowest increasing value index (0.45%), compared to the traits under control conditions. So far, the results indicate that foliar application of MOE can be utilized effectively as a natural growth promoter to increase the growth and yield productivity of grown barley accessions.