Harvest Index Values Research Articles

Response of a U.S. rice hybrid variety to high heat at Two CO2 concentrations during anthesis and grainfill

Changing climate conditions are influencing quality and yield of the United States rice (Oryza sativa L.) export industry. The occurrence of high heat episodes, along with rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), is of particular concern for as-yet uncharacterized hybrid varieties. A popular rice hybrid was grown in soil-plant-atmosphere-research (SPAR) chambers under two CO2 levels (450 or 740 ppm) and subjected to one of three day/night temperature regimes during anthesis and grainfill: a control temperature (T) (0C) of 28/22°C, and a +4° (4C) or +8°C (8C) increase. There was little difference in biomass between 0 and 4C levels; however, yields at the 8C level declined by over 50%, by about 28 or 34 g plant−1°C−1 for ambient or elevated CO2 grown rice, respectively. There was little difference in fraction of biomass allocated among leaf, stem or panicle at 0 or 4C, but the proportion declined by about 31% to the panicles at 8C. Total productive tiller numbers and grainfill percentages were similar across CO2 levels at each T treatment such that yield declines were associated primarily with a decrease in grain number and mass. Slightly higher values for yield and harvest index were observed under elevated CO2 at the 3 T levels which was attributed to an average 10 mg increase in single grain weight. An interaction of CO2 and T on chalk content was observed, with expression at the +4°C treatment 11% higher for elevated versus ambient CO2; however, chalk expression was similar for CO2 levels at the +8°C treatment. Breeding efforts associated with climate resiliency should consider traits associated with hybrid vigor as well as high temperature resistance for grain sterility and quality factor responses.

Humic Acid Fertilizer Incorporation Increases Rice Radiation Use, Growth, and Yield: A Case Study on the Songnen Plain, China

Humic acid fertilizer (HA) incorporation is a common method for improving crop growth and soil fertility. However, the effects of HA incorporation on rice growth are still unknown. We conducted a two-year field experiment to determine the radiation use, growth, and yield of rice grown with five different HA rates: 110 kg∙ha−1 100% urea (pure nitrogen) (T1); 30% HA and 70% urea (T2); 50% HA and 50% urea (T3); 70% HA and 30% urea (T4), and 1500 kg∙ha−1 100% HA (T5). The results showed that the T2 treatment had the lowest values of photosynthetic efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), relative leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), plant height and leaf area index (LAI) in both years, which were similar to the photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), yield, and biomass. In contrast, the highest harvest index (HI) value was found in the T2 treatment. In the two years, the T4 and T5 treatments showed no significant differences. However, the multivariate statistical method based on principal component analysis showed that in the first principal component, the LAI, biomass, yield, plant height, SPAD, Fv/Fm, IPAR, and RUE had a positive correlation, and the HI had a negative correlation. The LAI, yield, plant height, SPAD, HI, and RUE had a positive correlation, but biomass, Fv/Fm and IPAR had a negative correlation in the second principal component. Across the different HA treatments, the comprehensive scores were T5 > T4 > T3 > T1 > T2, with values of 2.13, 1.38, −0.17, −0.34, and −3.00, respectively. According to the principal component analysis results of each index, the T5 treatment was better than the T4 treatment.

Effects of plastic film mulch biodegradability on nitrogen in the plant-soil system

The application of biodegradable film mulching (BFM) instead of non-biodegradable film mulching (NBFM) is a promising way to mitigate the negative impacts of residual film in agricultural mulching systems. But the effects of BFM on soil mineral nitrogen (N) are not known. To investigate the effects of BFM on N mineralization, nitrate (NO3−) accumulation and leaching, and plant N uptake, we conducted two-year field experiment with five treatments: no-mulching (No-M), white non-biodegradable film mulching (White-NotBioM), black non-biodegradable film mulching (Black-NotBioM), white biodegradable film mulching (White-BioM), and black biodegradable film mulching (Black-BioM). The net N mineralization in NBFM was greater than that in BFM due to the disintegration of biodegradable films in the middle and late stages of maize growth, resulting in a decrease in soil water content under BFM. Higher net N mineralization caused a higher NO3− accumulation in the topsoil (0–20 cm) under NBFM. The NO3− accumulation in the topsoil in Black-NotBioM was 23–88% higher than that in Black-BioM; while in White-NotBioM it was 16–63% higher than that in White-BioM. After two years of cropping, the NO3− accumulation in 100–180 cm (defined as N leaching in deep layers, NLD) in NBFM was 52–63% higher than that in BFM, implying that the higher NO3− accumulation in the topsoil in NBFM caused more N leaching. The yields and plant N uptake were similar between NBFM and BFM, but BFM had higher N harvest index values. Compared with NBFM, BFM showed less NO3− accumulation in the topsoil and less NLD, whereas yield, plant N uptake and net economic benefits were not reduced. Therefore, BFM, especially Black-BioM, could be an alternative to NBFM in maize production on the Loess Plateau. However, the higher N accumulation in root soil layer (0–100 cm) under Black-BioM should be accounted for in N fertilizer management.

Transcriptome and Small RNA Sequencing Reveal the Mechanisms Regulating Harvest Index in Brassica napus.

Harvest index (HI), the ratio of harvested seed weight to total aboveground biomass weight, is an economically critical value reflecting the convergence of complex agronomic traits. HI values in rapeseed (Brassica napus) remain much lower than in other major crops, and the underlying regulatory network is largely unknown. In this study, we performed mRNA and small RNA sequencing to reveal the mechanisms shaping HI in B. napus during the seed-filling stage. A total of 8,410 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high-HI and low-HI accessions in four tissues (silique pericarp, seed, leaves, and stem) were identified. Combining with co-expression network, 72 gene modules were identified, and a key gene BnaSTY46 was found to participate in retarded establishment of photosynthetic capacity to influence HI. Further research found that the genes involved in circadian rhythms and response to stimulus may play important roles in HI and that their transcript levels were modulated by differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs), and we identified 903 microRNAs (miRNAs), including 46 known miRNAs and 857 novel miRNAs. Furthermore, transporter activity-related genes were critical to enhancing HI in good cultivation environments. Of 903 miRNAs, we found that the bna-miR396–Bna.A06SRp34a/Bna.A01EMB3119 pair may control the seed development and the accumulation of storage compounds, thus contributing to higher HI. Our findings uncovered the underlying complex regulatory network behind HI and offer potential approaches to rapeseed improvement.

Evaluation of the Agronomic Traits and Grain Yield of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) by Different Levels of Phosphorus Fertilizer with Row Spacings at Abine Germama Kebele in Adamitulu Jido kombolcha Wereda

Mung bean is among the most important pulses crop cultivated from low to midland agro-ecological zones of the world including Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Abine Germama Kebele in 2020/21 cropping season ( rainy ) on Adamitulu Jido Kombolcha Wereda. We used mung bean variety the so called Arkebe for this experiment. The trial was also conducted to determine the optimum row spacing and phosphorus fertilizer rate for better grain yield of mung bean and to assess the economic value of using Phosphorus for Mung bean production. The soil was medium in total nitrogen (0.143%), had low available phosphorus (2.42 mg kg -1 soil), moderate organic matter (2.252) contents and low cation exchange capacity (6.15 cmol kg -1 soil). The highest number of seeds per plant (12.37) was counted from the interaction effects of 40kg/ha phosphorus and 15cm row spacing. The highest above ground biomass yield (8064.48 kg ha -1 ) and grain yield (2493.83 kg ha -1 ) of mung bean was obtained from the interaction effects of 60kg/ha Phosphorus and 10cm intra row spacing. The highest (0.25) value of harvest index of mung bean was calculated from the interaction effect of 60kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 with 40cm x 10cm row spacing. The maximum net benefit (86772.51 ETB ha -1 ) was obtained from 40cm x 10cm row spacing and 60kg P 2 O 5 ha − 1 . The highest marginal rate of return per unit production cost was recorded when mung bean planted on 40cm x 10cm row spacing with 60kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 application (MRR = 942%). we advised to farmers 60 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 with 40cm x 10cm row spacing was the best for mung bean production, but since 60 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 was the maximum level Phosphorus among the treatments so, this needs to add the levels of Phosphorus beyond 60kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 for future study. Keywords: Grain yield, Net benefit, Marginal rate of return, Phosphorus and Row spacing DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-7-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2022

Productivity of Lentil as Affected by Micronutrient Application at Old Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India

Field trial was conducted to optimize the micronutrient application in lentil crop (Variety-WBL-77) at Regional Research Station (Old Alluvial Zone), Uttar BangaKrishi Viswavidyalaya, Majhian during 2019-20 and 2020-21. Foliar application of Fe, Zn and B (at 50 and 100 ppm each) were applied twice, first at pre anthesis stage and second at pod development stage. Parameters such as plant height (cm), dry matter (g/m2), number of nodules per plant and number of pods per plant were observed highest with T8(RDF+50 ppm Zn+Fe+B foliar spray) treatment whereas the T1 (RDF) showed the lowest value for each parameter. T3 (RDF+100 ppm Zn foliar spray) resulted with maximum 1000 seed weight (g). T8 (RDF+50 ppm Zn+Fe+B foliar spray) was also recorded with the highest seed yield (kg/ha), stover yield (kg/ha). Both T7 (RDF+100 ppm B foliar spray) and T8 (RDF+50 ppm Zn+Fe+B foliar spray) treatments were resulted with the same value of harvest index followed by the rest of the treatments. Therefore, the treatment T8 (RDF+50 ppm Zn+Fe+B foliar spray) proved best among the treatments selected and can be recommended for lentil (Variety-WBL-77).

Evaluation of Seed Yield and Yield Components of Some Chickpea Genotopes Grown under Şirnak-Idil Ecological Conditions

This study was carried out to determine the yield and yield factors of some chickpea genotypes in Şırnak-İdil ecological conditions. In the research, 12 lines and 4 control cultivars (Arda, Azkan, Aksu and Inci) totally 15 chickpea genotypes were used as material. Field experiment was carried out in Sirnak-Idil conditions, in the cultivation period (Novevember-July) of 2020/2021, in a randomized block design with three replications. As a result of the research, although it varies according to chickpea genotypes, the number of days until flowering, average plant height, first pod height, the number of branches, the number of pods, the number of grains, grain weight, grain yield, hundred grain weight, harvest index value varied between 115.7 and 161.7 days, between 42.9 cm and 53.5 cm, between 15.2 cm and 26.2 cm, between 2.0 and 3.9, between 23.0 and 43.4, between 14.0 and 44.0, between 9.2 and 13.4 g, between 98.4 and 160.7 kg da-1, between 23.3 and 37.6 g, 34.5 and 46.2%, respectively. As a result, in Sirnak/Idil ecological condition, FLIP 03-104 C chickpea genotype can give better results in arid and semiarid conditions because of its early flowering and podding time; It was determined that Arda and FLIP 97-503 C chickpea genotypes gave better results than other genotypes examined in terms of yield and yield-related characteristics.

Genome sequencing and genetic analysis of recombinant inbred lines reveals important agronomic traits related loci under different nitrogen fertilization.

The intensive application of inorganic nitrogen has contributed to increasing the crop yield with the risk of environmental damage. High nitrogen fertilizer requirements are a long-standing problem in japonica cultivation. In the present study, 200 recombinant inbred lines derived from two representative japonica varieties of Japanese and Chinese varieties, Akitakomachi and Liaogeng5, respectively, were planted under different nitrogen fertilization conditions. The relationships among nitrogen fertilization, genetic background, and important agronomic traits were surveyed through the phenotypic investigation and next-generation sequencing. The results showed that the yield components of Akitakomachi dramatically decreased along with the nitrogen reduction, whereas those of Liaogeng5 exhibited a slight decrease. The appearance quality and milling quality of both Akitakomachi and Liaogeng5 were improved, especially Liaogeng5. The recombinant inbred lines (RILs) showed similar trends to their parental lines. The QTLs analysis of important agronomic traits detected 17 loci, one QTL clustering located on chromosome 9 that corresponded to the plant height, panicle angle, grain number per panicle, harvest index, and taste value was identified to be synonymous with a previously reported gene, DEP1. The function of DEP1 was verified by a knock-out mutant constructed by CRISPR/Cas9. The dep1 mutant exhibited improved grain quality without severe yield penalty under nitrogen reduction conditions. The results of the present study provide useful information for the improvement of food security by enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.

Arsenic Stress Tolerance in Lentil Varieties

A pot experiment was conducted inside a rain- shelter in the Department of Agronomy, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka in 2016 to evaluate the arsenic (As) stress tolerance of seven lentil varieties, viz., BARIMasur-1, BARIMasur-2, BARIMasur-3, BARIMasur-4, BARIMasur-5, BARIMasur-6 and BARIMasur-7 against three levels of arsenic stress viz., no arsenic stress (control), 25 mg As / kg soil and 50 mg As / kg soil. Arsenic treatment was imposed during pot filling with 10 kg air- dried soil pot-1. The pots were fertilized with 0.225 g urea, 0.425 g TSP and 0.175 g MoP pot-1 before seed sowing. Six healthy seeds of seven lentil varieties were sown in each pot and the plants were thinned to four after three weeks later. It was observed that increasing levels of As significantly decreased pods plant-1, 1000 seeds weight, seed yield, stover yield, harvest index and relative values of these parameters, whereas increased seed arsenic content and relative seed arsenic content in all the lentil varieties studied. Although BARIMasur-7, BARIMasur-6 and BARIMasur-5 gave the higher seed yield, their relative seed yield, relative values of yield components, relative stover yield and relative harvest index were lower, but seed arsenic content and relative seed arsenic content were higher compared to that of BARIMasur-1, BARIMasur-2, BARIMasur-3 and BARIMasur-4. Therefore, BARIMasur-1, BARIMasur-2, BARIMasur-3 and BARIMasur-4 varieties were superior and safe for consumption considering seed arsenic content and suitable for breeding considering relative seed arsenic content under soil arsenic stress conditions. Correlation studies indicated that As stress decreased relative seed yield by most negatively influencing the relative 1000 -seeds weight followed by relative pods plant-1, relative stover yield and relative seeds pod-1.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(2): 13-20

Water Productivity of Irrigated Tomatoes in Eastern Canada Based on AquaCrop Simulations

HighlightsMeasured field harvest index improved the performance of AquaCrop simulations.Optimal irrigated tomato yield can be achieved by maintaining available soil water depletion below 25%.Water productivity for tomatoes in humid regions can be suitably simulated using AquaCrop.Irrespective of the soil type, the water productivity was highest for fully irrigated fields compared to water limiting irrigated fields.Abstract. Methodologies to predict crop water requirements in arid and semi-arid regions are well known. Humid regions such as eastern Canada pose a challenge because irrigation is normally only required for short periods during the growing season to supplement rainfall. This study assessed the capability of the AquaCrop model to simulate the effects of different irrigation regimes on field-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the humid region of eastern Canada. The experimental study was conducted at the Horticultural Research station of McGill University, Quebec, Canada. There were three irrigation treatments in 2017 and in 2019, that were based on the % depletion of available water content (AWC). The AquaCrop model was calibrated and verified with the 2017 and 2019 field data, respectively. The verified model was used to predict irrigation water requirements and fruit yield for the driest year (1993) and the average rainfall year (2001) of a 35-year historic weather dataset from 1986 to 2000, for three different soil types (silty clay, sandy loam, and heavy clay) under four irrigation regimes. Model performance was greatly improved when the seasonal harvest index (HI) measured from experimental data was used instead of the default model HI values. AquaCrop was suitable for estimating dry yield and total biomass with RMSE = 0.57 ton ha-1 and 0.89 ton ha-1, respectively, in the calibration phase, and RMSE = 0.28 ton ha-1 and 0.01 ton ha-1 for dry yield and total biomass, respectively, in the verification phase. These results indicate a very high accuracy of AquaCrop to estimate total above ground biomass and fruit yield in humid regions with seasonally adjusted HI values. The predictions showed that maintaining AWC depletion below 25% resulted in no significant decrease in crop yield and biomass, making it an optimum water management guideline for irrigated tomato production in Quebec. The findings of this study are useful to crop growers and water resource managers in eastern Canada, who seek better irrigation strategies to optimize productivity. Keywords: AquaCrop, Crop Modeling, Humid climate, Irrigation water requirement, Tomatoes, Yield.

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Growth and Yield of Mustard Under Irrigated Conditions in Agra District

The present field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of RBS College, Bichpuri Agra, during Rabi season of 2018-19. The soil of the experimental site is Gangetic alluvial. The experimental was laid out in RBD factorial having 3 main treatment (N level) and 4 sub treatments (P2O5 level) with 3 replications. All growth and yield attributing character increase with application of N @ 120 Kg-1 and P2O5 @ 60 kg-1. All the yield components i.e., number of siliquae plant-1, length of siliqua and number of seeds siliqua-1 improved with the increase in the level of nitrogen. Higher value of harvest index was associated with the application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1. Seed yield increased appreciably with every additional increase in the level of nitrogen. Respectively 26.85 and 40.05 per cent higher seed yield ha-1 was obtained with the application of 80 and 120 kg ha-1 nitrogen as compared to 40 kg ha-1 .

Economic studies of quality rice (Oryza sativa L.) on different varieties under organic production system in Chhattisgarh

An experiment was conducted under Chhattisgarh agro-climatic conditions at the instructional cum research farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) entitled “Economic studies of quality rice (Oryza sativa L.) on different varieties under organic production system in Chhattisgarh.” The highest number of effective tillers hill-1 was recorded in the variety Zinco rice MS (10.7) which was significant superior over rest of the tested varieties. The lowest number of effective tiller hill-1 Lohandi (7.2) in over rest of the varieties. The highest length of panicle (32.9 cm) in Tulsi Manjiri while lowest length of panicle (21.1 cm) with Indira Sugandhit Dhan 1. The overall result also indicate that traditional rice varieties were produced the higher number of sound grains panicle-1 like Samund Chini (153.0) and Aatma Sheetal (152.7) over high yielding scented and fortified rice varieties while the lowest sound grains panicle-1 was recorded with Zinco rice MS (71.7) in overall tested varieties. The highest sterility percent was reported in Zinco rice MS (22.8%) but the lowest (9.8%) in Lokti Machhi. The highest test weight was noticed in CG Madhuraj 55 (32.9g) followed by Protezin (31.6g). The maximum grain yield was recorded in CG Devbhog (37.0 q ha-1) and lowest grain yield (22.6 q ha-1) in Tulsi Manjiri. The highest straw yield was recorded in the variety of Tulsi Manjiri (71-72 q ha-1) which differ significantly in rest over the varieties and lowest straw yield in the variety Protezin (33.9 q ha-1). The maximum value of harvest index recorded in the cultivars Protezin (49.1%) and the lowest harvest index value was recorded in the variety Tulsi Manjiri (24.3 %). The highest B: C ratio recorded the variety CG Devbhog (1.6) while the lowest in the variety Lohandi and Aatma Sheetal (0.8).

Efficacy of irrigation intervals and chemical weed control on optimizing bulb yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Two field experiments were carried out at the village ten, Abu Humus, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, during the two successive seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, to evaluate the effect of three types of herbicide and three irrigation intervals on productivity and quality of onion cultivar (Giza Red). The experiments were designed as split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation intervals – (I1) 20 days, (I2) 30 days, and (I3) 40 days – were assigned to the main plots. Herbicides treatments – (H1) Control, (H2) Fluazifop-p, (H3) Oxyfluorfen, and (H4) Clethodium – were distributed randomly in sub-plots. The results revealed that the interaction between herbicide and irrigation intervals had significant effects on productivity and quality of onion (Giza Red) cultivar in both seasons. Maximum onion bulbs yield (14.06 and 14.29 ton/fed) was recorded at (I3 with H3) treatments in first and second seasons, respectively. (I2 with H3) led to increase onion harvest index values. The highest value of carbohydrates percentage and total soluble solids (TSS) obtained at {I3 and H2}. Herbicides residues in dry onions bulbs under all treatments were found well below the maximum residue limit set by World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (0.05 mg/kg). In conclusion, the interaction of Oxyfluorfen herbicide and irrigation interval 40 days could be used to improve fresh and dry bulb yield (ton/fed) of onion cultivar, harvest index and water use efficiency (WUE). The treatment of {I3 (40 days) with H2 (Fluazifop-p)} could be used to enhance bulb diameter (cm) after harvest, TSS and the percentage of carbohydrates.

Contrasting Characteristics of Lodging Resistance in Two Super-Rice Hybrids Differing in Harvest Index

The “super rice” breeding program in China has been successful in developing high-yielding hybrids, including few with high harvest index values. However, there is limited information on the relationship between lodging resistance and harvest index, and the mechanisms underlying the relationship in super-rice hybrids. In this study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to compare lodging resistance and its related traits between two super-rice hybrids differing in harvest index, i.e., Guiliangyou 2 (G2) with a high harvest index and Y-liangyou 1 (Y1) with a typical harvest index of modern high-yielding rice varieties. Results showed that compared to Y1, G2 was lower in plant height due to its lower aboveground N uptake, and its higher stem breaking resistance (i.e., lower stem breaking index) resulted from a lower stem height at its center of gravity. Consequently, G2 had a higher lodging resistance (i.e., lower plant lodging index) than Y1. This study suggests that developing super-rice hybrids with high harvest index values is a possible way to achieve both high grain yield and strong lodging resistance in rice.

Evaluation of Crop and Soil Dynamics under Various Moisture Regimes and Moisture Conservation Techniques in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Aim: The present investigation was conducted to validate the various moisture regimes in transplanted rice and to study the effect of different moisture conservation techniques on performance of rice and soil after harvest of crop.
 Study Design: Experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD).
 Place and duration of Study: The present investigation was conducted during the kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at the Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut (U.P.), India.
 Methodology: The main factor consists of the moisture regimes viz. irrigation as CF (I1), at FC (I2) and at 25%DASM (I3), the sub factors consist of six moisture conservation techniques viz. control, application of wheat residues @ 5t/ha, Pusa hydrogel @7.5 kg/ha, seed treatment with PF-6, PF-2 and IRRI-1 @ 4g/kg seed. Observation on plant growth attributes viz., plant height and leaf area index were recorded at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest stage of the crop, while chlorophyll content was recorded at 30 and 60 DAT. The harvest index was calculated on the net plot area basis. Observation on soil dynamics viz., available NPK and OC were recorded both before and after harvesting of crop.
 Results: Among different moisture regimes, the highest plant height, LAI and chlorophyll content was found under CF (I1) followed by FC (I2) during both the years. Among MCTs, the highest values of growth attributes and harvest index of rice were found with application of wheat residue @ 5 t/ha followed by Pusa hydrogel @ 7.5 kg/ha during both the years. Maximum value of harvest index was recorded under CF during first year, while it was highest under FC during 2019. Slight improvement in available nutrients were observed at 25% DASM treatment of moisture regimes and wheat residues @ 5 t/ha treatment of moisture conservation techniques over their other counterparts during both the years of experimentation.
 Conclusion: On the basis of study, it may be concluded that irrigation should be scheduled at FC (2-3 days after disappearance of water on surface) in transplanted rice and application of wheat residues @ 5 t/ha in rice is an appropriate moisture conservation technique for improving the physiological growth and productivity, besides enhancing the soil fertility.

The efficient use of radiation, water, and nitrogen uptake by low-nitrogen-tolerant broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) increased grain yield in the Loess Plateau, China

The development of highly productive, low-N-tolerant cultivars is important to facilitate green and sustainable agriculture. However, it is unclear how low-N-tolerant cultivars achieve high grain yields under field conditions. In this study, the physiology facilitating the strong growth and efficient resource use of four low-N-tolerant Panicum miliaceum L. cultivars was compared with two low-N-sensitive cultivars using low and typical N fertilization applications (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha−1) on the semiarid Loess Plateau, China in 2019 and 2020. Compared to normal N fertilization, low N fertilization treatments significantly decreased plant photosynthetic capacity by regulating leaf stomatal closing, resulting in reduced dry matter accumulation and transportation, growth inhibition, weakened resource utilization, and consequently, a 28.9% decrease in grain yield. Compared to the low-N-sensitive cultivars, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had improved growth, leaf photosynthetic capacity, and dry matter transportation. These improved physiological characteristics resulted in more effective resource capture in the low-N-tolerant cultivars. This included higher and more efficient radiation use (24.4% and 26.9%), water use (63.5% and 48.2%), and N uptake (37.0% and 33.7%) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Furthermore, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had increased productivity, with higher grain yields (38.6-41.6%) and harvest index values (16.7-28.2%) under low N conditions in the two years of the study. Overall, the results of this study determined the effect of low N input on broomcorn millet productivity and illustrated the strategies by which low-N-tolerant cultivars increased grain yield in semiarid field conditions.

Productive and Morphometric Traits, Mineral Composition and Secondary Metabolome Components of Borage and Purslane as Underutilized Species for Microgreens Production

Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) offer largely unexplored opportunities for providing nutritious plant food, while making agro-ecosystems more diverse and resilient to climate change. The aim of this work was to explore the potential of two typical Mediterranean underutilized species, purslane and borage, as novel vegetable product (microgreens). Micro-scale production of edible plants is spreading due to the simplicity of their management, rapid cycle, harvest index, and phytochemical value of the edible product. Microgreens, therefore, represent an opportunity to link NUS, nutrition, and agricultural and dietary diversification. By analyzing yield, antioxidants activities, mineral composition, and main phenolic acids and flavonoids, our work indicated that the two species provide interesting results when compared with those reported for crops and horticultural species. Specifically, purslane should be considered highly nutritional due to the amount of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, and to potential good β-carotene bioavailability. Borage microgreens have a very high fresh yield and a more composite and balanced phenolic profile. In conclusion, our work provided evidence for implementing new ways to expand the NUS market-chains and for developing added-value food products.

Viability, productivity, and anatomical response of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) to biofertilizer-sludge biogas applications

Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the essential food commodities in Indonesia. The use of biofertilizer has been applied to various types of crops. Meanwhile, the effect of using biofertilizer-sludge biogas on groundnuts is yet unknown. This study aims to analyze the seed viability and vigour, yield productivity, the anatomical response of groundnuts, and optimum concentration that could increase the values of each parameter. Treatments given include applying biofertilizer-sludge with 15 levels of treatment concentration compared to groundnuts without biofertilizer-sludge application as a control. The land was divided into 16 beds for each treatment consisting of control, biofertilizer from 10, 15, 30 L/ha, sludge from 12, 24, to 36 ml, and variations dosage of biofertilizer and sludge combined. The parameters observed for viability and vigour include the percentage of seed germination (GP), seed vigor index (SVI) for yield, the value of harvest index (HI), dry weight of the harvest, and root-shoot ratio (R/S). Anatomical responses were observed with stem diameter, stem’s metaxylem diameter, root diameter, root’s metaxylem diameter, and seed diameter. The biofertilizer-sludge results significantly affected HI, R/S values, stem diameter, root’s metaxylem diameter, and seed diameter. This research concluded that the application of biofertilizer-sludge did not significantly affect the seed viability and vigour and the dry weight of the harvest. The application of biofertilizer-sludge in various doses of concentration resulted in a decrease in the stem metaxylem diameter and root diameter compared to the control. A total of 10 L/ha biofertilizer + 24 ml sludge was an optimum concentration to increasing HI and R/S values. For the increasing stem, root metaxylem, and seed diameter, biofertilizer 30 L/ha + sludge 12 ml, sludge 24 ml, and biofertilizer 15 L/ha + sludge 12 ml were the optimum concentrations, respectively.

Impact of Sowing Dates on Forage Value of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Under Semi-arid Conditions

This study was aimed to determine forage value of quinoa at the different sowing dates under semi-arid conditions. Research was conducted according to randomized complete blocks design with three replicates in Harran plain conditions in 2016, Sanliurfa, Turkey. Q-52 Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) variety was used as plant material. In the study 9 different sowing dates were used such as 15 February, 1 March, 15 March, 1 April, 15 April, 1 May, 15 May, 1 June and 15 June. In the research plant height, stem diameter, number of branches per plant, biomass yield, dry forage yield and harvest index were investigated. As a result of the research, statistically significant differences were seen between sowing dates at tested characteristics (P≤0.01). As a result of the research, statistically significant differences were seen between sowing dates at tested characteristics (P≤0.01). Plant height ranged from 81.8 cm to 109.4 cm, stem diameter from 9.0 mm to 12.6 mm, number of branches per plant from 10.3 to 12.7 number. The highest biomass yield was obtained from 1 April sowing date with 1751.40 kg da-1 whereas the lowest biomass yield was seen at June 15 sowing date with 1295.28 kg da-1. Dry matter yield values were between 415.8 (15 February) and 546.88 kg da-1 (1 April). Harvest index values were between 39.3% and 42.0%. Quinoa yield characteristics in generally increased from 15 February to 1 April sowing dates, but after 1 April sowing dates decreased. Higher values were obtained from April and May sowing dates. The most suitable planting date for quinoa plant in semi-arid climatic conditions was determined as 1 April and can be recommended in similar ecologies.

Tolerance to low phosphorus was enhanced by an alternate wetting and drying regime in rice

AbstractPhosphorus (P) deficiency is a limiting factor for sustainable rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. However, little is known about how rice varieties that differ in tolerance to low P perform under water‐saving irrigation. In this study, we characterized the responses of two rice varieties, ZD88 that has a weak tolerance to low soil P and YJ2 that has a strong tolerance to low soil P to two irrigation regimes under both optimal P (NP, 46.9 mg/kg Olsen‐P) and low P (LP, 6.8 mg/kg Olsen‐P). The first irrigation regime involved continuous flooding (CF), while the second involved alternate wetting and moderate soil drying (AWD). The study was conducted in plants grown in pot over two years. YJ2 exhibited stronger tolerance to LP than ZD88 under both irrigation regimes. Compared to CF, plants grown with AWD produced higher grain yields and had increased phosphorus translocation efficiencies, as well as higher metabolic phosphorus efficiencies and increased phosphorus harvest index values. The water use efficiencies of the two rice varieties were increased under both NP and LP under AWD conditions. The AWD regime also resulted in higher shoot dry weights and increased photosynthesis rates under LP compared with CF. Moreover, the remobilization of non‐structural carbohydrates from stems to the grain was also increased under the AWD regime, together with higher activities of sucrose‐phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase and peroxidases and increased abscisic acid contents in grains. Root dry weights and root to shoot ratios were also increased under AWD conditions, together with increased root acid phosphatase activities. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the AWD regime benefits rice production under LP environment.