High Yield Research Articles

Colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of polar E120 in juice and environmental water samples using mannitol-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped carbon dots

In this study, mannitol-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MMNPs) as a unique nanosorbent and N-doped fluorescent carbon dots (N-CDs) as a cost-effective nanosensor were created and utilized, for the first time, for dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction (Dµ-SPE) to determine carmine (E120) dye in water samples and juices. The modification of the magnetic nanoparticles with mannitol was designed to enhance the responsive potential for adsorption of the polar E120 dye from complex sample matrices through electrostatic interaction. The as-fabricated N-CDs fluorescent probe exhibited a high fluorescence quantum yield (Φs) of 43.1 %, allowing for accurate fluorometric detection of E120 dye. The as-synthesized MMNPs nanosorbent and fluorescent N-CDs nanoprobe were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Density Functional Theory (DFT) studied the E120 dye structure using Gaussian 09 to explore the interactions between E 120 dye molecules and MMNPs/N-CDs. The impact of the critical adsorption and detection experimental factors was investigated and adjusted. A minimal amount of MMNPs nanosorbent (150 mg) is sufficient for E120 extraction in an acceptable time of 15 min. Furthermore, with a high determination coefficient, the adsorption characteristics fit with the models of Langmuir isotherm and first-order kinetics. The adsorption capacity (qe) of the as-fabricated MMNPs was 87.7 mg.g−1. After adsorption, E120 dye was fluorometrically analyzed using nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a fluorescent nanosensor via the inner filter effect (IFE) mechanism. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed fluorometric procedures showed a linear increase in the fluorescence ratio with increasing the E120 concentration in the range of 1.0 – 160.0 μg.mL−1 with detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) limits of 0.27 and 0.83 μg.mL−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (%RSD) did not exceed 2.34 %. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to determine E120 dye in juice and environmental water samples with % recovery ranged from 89.2-106.1 % and 92.9–107.2 %, respectively offering a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional detection methods with potential applications across various industries.

Performance analysis of a photovoltaic component integrated into a hybrid power plant in Southeast Mauritania

This study investigated the performance of photovoltaic components of the 1.3MW KIFFA hybrid power plant in Mauritania. Data from the plant's monitoring system (January-December 2021) was used to assess various performance metrics. The analysis revealed a high daily reference yield (5.60 h/d), indicating good solar resource availability. However, final and array yields (4.78 h/d and 4.86 h/d, respectively) suggested potential for improvement. System component efficiencies were within acceptable ranges, with particularly high inverter efficiency (98.31%). Array capture losses were moderate (0.74 h/d), and system losses were minimal (0.08 h/d). The annual performance ratio (86.33%) and capacity factor (19.91%) indicated good overall plant performance. These findings were then compared with data from similar installations in various climate zones to understand the impact of climatic variations on photovoltaic performance. Compared to installations in temperate zones with lower irradiation levels, the KIFFA plant's reference yield was significantly higher. However, the final and array yields were closer due to potentially higher operating temperatures in Mauritania affecting module efficiency. Interestingly, comparisons with installations in other desert regions with similarly high irradiation levels revealed lower performance, particularly in terms of final yield, (4.71 h/d) in Algéria (Adrar) and (4.10 h/d) in Oman (Muscat). This suggests that climatic factors beyond just sunlight availability, such as dust accumulation, may have played a significant role in their performance compared to the KIFFA plant.

Cultivar mixtures of maize enhance grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency by promoting canopy photosynthetically active radiation and root growth

Cultivar mixtures increases crop diversification and grain yield stability. It is a major challenge to achieve high grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency with environmentally friendly practices. However, it is currently unclear whether the cultivar mixtures of maize can improve nitrogen use efficiency. A two-year field experiment was conducted using two maize cultivars with different roots angles and leaf angles planted in monoculture or in mixtures under four nitrogen levels N0 (0 kg N ha-1), N140 (140 kg N ha-1), N280 (280 kg N ha-1) and N340 (340kg N ha-1). Cultivar mixtures significantly increased light interception of middle canopy, dry matter accumulation and total roots length under N0, N140, and N280 conditions. Light interception of middle canopy positively related to dry matter accumulation and thus increased grain yield. And light interception of whole canopy positively related to total lateral root length, while the increased total lateral root length of outer nodal roots significantly improved nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency. Thus, cultivar mixtures promoted an optimal canopy structure and good root growth, then improved grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency. These findings could deepen our understanding of the facilitating effect of canopy structure and root traits of cultivar mixtures on the collaborative promotion of grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency.

Cr3+-doped garnet-type Ca3Al2Ge3O12 phosphors with high color purity and high quantum yield for plant growth lighting

Cr3+-doped garnet-type Ca3Al2Ge3O12 phosphors with high color purity and high quantum yield for plant growth lighting

Using Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology to Characterize the Dynamics of Small-Scale Maize Production Systems for Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture (PA) utilizes spatial and temporal variability to improve the sustainability and efficiency of farming practices. This study used high-resolution imagery from UAS to evaluate maize yield variability across three fields in Ghana: Sombolouna, Tilli, and Yendi, exploiting the potential of UAS technology in PA. Initially, excess green index (EGI) classification was used to differentiate between bare soil, dead vegetation, and thriving vegetation, including maize and weeds. Thriving vegetation was further classified into maize and weeds, and their corresponding rasters were developed. Normal difference red edge (NDRE) was applied to assess maize health. The Jenks natural breaks algorithm classified maize rasters into low, medium, and high differential yield zones (DYZs). The percentage of bare spaces, maize, weed coverages, and total maize production was determined. Significant variations in field conditions showed Yendi had 34% of its field as bare, Tilli had the highest weed coverage at 22%, and Sombolouna had the highest maize crop coverage at 73.9%. Maize yields ranged from 860 kg ha−1 in the low DYZ to 4900 kg ha−1 in the high DYZ. Although yields in Sombolouna and Tilli were similar, both fields significantly outperformed Yendi. Scenario analysis suggested that enhancing management practices to elevate low DYZs to medium levels could increase production by 2.1%, while further improvements to raise low and medium DYZs to high levels could boost productivity by up to 20%.

A comparative study of BiFeO3-based compounds for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

We present a comprehensive study, combining experimental and theoretical approaches, to assess the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency of BiFeO3-based solid solutions. Initially, we investigate the electronic and optical properties of these compounds, with a particular focus on band edge alignment relative to water redox potentials. Our findings show that the materials exhibit optimal band gaps of approximately 2.0 eV, indicative of enhanced visible light absorption and favorable energetic alignment to drive efficient hydrogen generation. To corroborate our theoretical predictions, we perform photoelectrochemical measurements on selected BiFeO3-based compounds synthesized via the solid-state method. Our experimental results reveal a high hydrogen yield, with BiFeO3-SrTiO3 achieving a production rate of ∼114 µmol/L in 30 min, outperforming BiFeO3-BaTiO3 (∼70 µmol/L) and pristine BiFeO3 (∼61 µmol/L). These findings validate our theoretical assumptions and demonstrate the superior HER performance of BiFeO3-SrTiO3, positioning it as a highly promising candidate for sustainable hydrogen production.

Adhesive solid-state fermentation producing Aspergillus niger conidia on stainless-steel dixon ring supports.

An adhesive solid-state fermentation (adSSF) mode was developed to produce Aspergillus niger conidia, which used a stainless-steel Dixon ring as the support and water-retaining adhesive to load nutritional media on its surface. To obtain high conidia yields, the components of the water-retaining adhesive were screened, optimized by single-factor optimization and response surface methodology, and the optimal dosages of the main components were: wheat bran powder 0.023g·cm-3bed, cassava starch 0.0022g·cm-3bed, and xanthan gum 0.0083g·cm-3bed. The experimentally tested conidia yield was 4.2-fold that without water-retaining adhesive but was 3.7% lower than the maximum yield predicted by the model. The observed double-side growth of A. niger on the Dixon ring supports improved space utilization of the fermentation bed, and the void fraction can increase with the shrinkage of the gel layer. In 1.6L tray reactors with three-point online temperature monitoring, the inner-bed temperature of adSSF was at most 4°C lower than the adsorbed carrier solid-state fermentation (ACSSF) mode, and the conidia yield was 1.68 × 108 conidia.cm-3bed, 61.5% higher than that of the ACSSF bed at the same time, but when the fermentation time was extended to 168h, the conidia yield of the adSSF bed and ACSSF bed were close to each other. The results revealed that the high voidage of the adSSF bed was the main reason for low bed temperature, which can benefit the inner-bed natural convection and water evaporation.

Galla chinensis residue-derived carbon dots for sensitive detection of doxorubicin hydrochloride and cell imaging

As an antibiotic, the imbalance of the concentration of doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) can cause many harms, so real-time detection of the DOX content is crucial. In this study, Galla chinensis residue (GCR) was used as a carbon source, m-phenylenediamine was used as an N-doping agent, and blue-green fluorescent carbon dots (N-GCRCDs) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method, with a high quantum yield of 27.31 %. Under optimized conditions, a specific fluorescent probe was established to detect DOX. The addition of DOX resulted in a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity, with a detection range of 5.7–114.9 μM and the detection limit was 1.38 μM. Finally, the feasibility of this method was validated in human urine and the experimental results exhibited a DOX recovery rate of 97.45–104.41 % and an RSD of 0.91–2.64 %. The quenching mechanism was mainly attributed to the inner filter effect and static quenching. Furthermore, the potential application of N-GCRCDs in cells was studied and biocompatibility was evaluated using HepG2 cells, which showed low toxicity at concentrations of 0–50 μg/mL and successful application for HepG2 cell imaging. This study provides reference for resource utilization of GCR and quantitative detection of antibiotics.

Diversity of Major Yield Traits and Nutritional Components Among Greenhouse Grown Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Breeding Lines, Landraces, and Cultivars of Different Origins

This study analyzed the diversity of major yield traits and nutritional components across 122 chickpea breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces of different origins. All parameters showed significant variations, with a variance ranging from 4.61% in days to maturity (DM) to 43.04% in oleic acid. Six accessions, including CP021, CP022, CP026, CP037, CP066, and CP109, outperformed in yield traits and nutritional value. Origin significantly affected all phenotypic traits except total fatty acid contents, with Indian and Ukrainian accessions demonstrating contrasting performances. Most traits, except for the number of seeds per pod (SPP), palmitic acid, and total fatty acid contents, differed significantly among breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces. Breeding lines were the earliest to flower and to mature with average days to flowering (DF) of 50.23 days and DM of 101.50 days. They also had the highest average SPP, number of pods per plant (PPP), total seeds per plant (TSPP), total protein, crude fiber, dietary fiber, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid contents making them preferable for high yield and nutrition. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the chickpea accessions into seven clusters, showing significant variations in yield traits and nutritional components. Principal component and Pearson’s correlation analyses indicated positive correlations between DM and DF, and between SPP, PPP, and TSPP. Nutritional components also displayed varying associations, with a notable negative correlation between oleic and linoleic acids, the two essential fatty acids. Overall, this study showed the diversity of key phenotypic traits in chickpea breeding lines, cultivars, and landraces of different origins. The significant effects of genotype and origin differences on these traits could be used as a basis for future metabolomics and genomics research.

Natural variation of WBR7 confers rice high yield and quality by modulating sucrose supply in sink organs.

Grain chalkiness is an undesirable trait that negatively regulates grain yield and quality in rice. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying chalkiness is complex and remains unclear. We identified a positive regulator of white-belly rate (WBR). The WBR7 gene encodes sucrose synthase 3 (SUS3). A weak functional allele of WBR7 is beneficial in increasing grain yield and quality. During the domestication of indica rice, a functional G/A variation in the coding region of WBR7 resulted in an E541K amino acid substitution in the GT-4 glycosyltransferase domain, leading to a significant decrease in decomposition activity of WBR7A (allele in cultivar Jin23B) compared with WBR7G (allele in cultivar Beilu130). The NIL(J23B) and knockout line NIL(BL130)KO exhibited lower WBR7 decomposition activity than that of NIL(BL130) and NIL(J23B)COM, resulting in less sucrose decomposition and metabolism in the conducting organs. This caused more sucrose transportation to the endosperm, enhancing the synthesis of storage components in the endosperm and leading to decreased WBR. More sucrose was also transported to the anthers, providing sufficient substrate and energy supply for pollen maturation and germination, ultimately leading to an increase rate of seed setting and increased grain yield. Our findings elucidate a mechanism for enhancing rice yield and quality by modulating sucrose metabolism and allocation, and provides a valuable allele for improved rice quality.

EMIM] [OAc]: An Efficient Ionic Liquid Medium for the Synthesis of New 4-(furan/pyrrole/thiophene-2-yl)-3, 4-dihydro-1H-chromeno [4,3-d] pyrimidine-2,5-diones and Molecular Docking Studies

Abstract: An efficient synthesis of Chromeno[b]pyrimidine derivatives 4 has been achieved by treating 4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one 1, furan-2-carbaldehyde / 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde/ thiophene-2- carbaldehyde 2, and urea/thiourea 3 at 65-70 °C for 90-120 min using 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as ionic liquid and medium with good yields 86-90%. This synthetic method has numerous advantages, including high yields, a simple protocol, environmental friendliness, brief reaction times, and mild reaction conditions. Using a catalytically active ionic liquid as the medium eliminates the need for a catalyst and a solvent. In this study, the docking score of the synthesized compounds was found to be between -8 to -9 kcal/mol similar to the co-crystal. Additionally, the compounds maintained their amino acid interactions with Tyr 281 (coagulation protein; 6WV3) and Thr 179 (tubulin polymerization protein; 5LYJ.pdb).

TME-Activated MnO2/Pt Nanoplatform of Hydroxyl Radical and Oxygen Generation to Synergistically Promote Radiotherapy and MR Imaging of Glioblastoma.

Radiotherapy (RT) is currently recognized as an important treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), however, it is associated with several challenges. One of these challenges is the radioresistance caused by hypoxia, whereas the other is the low conversion efficiency of the strongly oxidized hydroxyl radical (•OH), which is produced by the decomposition of water due to high-energy X-ray radiation. These factors significantly limit the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy. To address these limitations, we developed a highly stable and efficient nanoplatform (MnO2/Pt@BSA). Compared to MnO2@BSA, this platform demonstrates high stability, a high yield of oxygen (O2), enhanced production of •OH, and reduced clearance of •OH. The system exhibited increased O2 production in vitro and significantly improved oxygen production efficiency within 100 s at the Pt loading of 38.7%. Furthermore, compared with MnO2, the expression rate of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in glioma cells treated with MnO2/Pt decreased by half. Additionally, the system promotes •OH generation and consumes glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the clearance of •OH and enhancing its therapeutic effect. Moreover, the degradation of the nanoplatform produces Mn2+, which serves as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with a T1-weighted enhancement effect at the tumor site. The nanoplatform exhibited excellent biocompatibility and performed multiple functions related to radiotherapy, with simpler components. In U87 tumor bearing mice model, we utilized MnO2/Pt nanocatalysis to enhance the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy on GBM. This approach represents a novel and effective strategy for enhancing radiotherapy in gliomas, thereby advancing the field of catalytic radiotherapy and glioma treatment.

Evaluation of Yield, Fruit Chemistry, and Firmness of Seven Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) Cultivars in an Eastern North Carolina Greenhouse

The combination of increasing costs, climate change, and disease- and pest-related issues present large challenges for the strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) industry in the United States. This is especially true for the Southeast, where rain, frost, and a range of foliar, fruit, and soil-borne diseases are prevalent, leading to significant losses every year. Simultaneously, niche winter markets open the opportunity to extend the harvest season, leading to an industry push to use protected culture strawberry production. Tabletop soilless strawberry greenhouse production has the advantage of avoiding soilborne issues while at the same time mitigating weather-related impacts on strawberry yield and quality. The use of long-day cultivars, originally bred for the Central Coast region of California, is currently the industry standard because of desired winter yields. However, short-day cultivars bred for Florida production might also have the potential to produce in winter. In this study, we evaluated the growth, yield, fruit chemistry, and fruit firmness of seven strawberry cultivars that are commonly grown in protected culture in North Carolina: Albion, Brilliance, Camino Real, Fronteras, Monterey, Florida Sensation, and Sweet Charlie. Experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design in a commercial tabletop greenhouse in eastern North Carolina over two growing seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24). Our results showed that Florida cultivars Brilliance and Florida Sensation produced more consistently yields in winter compared with long-day cultivars Albion and Monterey and produced similar yields over the entire season. ‘Brilliance’ especially showed high fruit firmness across both years, and high sweetness in one of the two years. Additionally, the short-day cultivar Fronteras showed high yields in early spring and could serve as a late-season crop for direct-to-consumer producers. Our study showed that ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Florida Sensation’ could be alternatives to ‘Albion’, and that ‘Monterey’ can be used to produce a winter crop in a soilless tabletop production system in the Southeast.

Improved Hydrothermal Conversion of Pea Pod Biomass for Production of Platform Chemicals with Organic Acid Catalysts

Agro-industries produce over 2 billion tons of agricultural waste annually, including by-products like bagasse, molasses, seeds, stems, leaves, straw, and shells. The use of agro-industrial waste is a way to reduce the impact of industrial processes on the environment. The pea pod is a biomass with a high concentration of cellulose, hemicellulose and some lignin; therefore, it can be used to produce platform chemicals by means of a hydrothermal process. There is limited research on the hydrolysis of pea biomass, but it has been shown to obtain high yields. This study analyzed the effectiveness and selectivity of the hydrothermal process using pea pod biomass with a particle size of 0.5 mm at 180 °C for one hour. A 500 mL reactor was used, with a biomass-to-acid solution ratio of 1:20. The concentration of the acid solution was 0.02 M. The concentrations of sugar, formic acid, levulinic acid, HMF, and furfural produced were measured. Among the catalysts studied, adipic acid catalysis showed the highest yield of 65.16%, with 37.09% of sugar, 16.37% of formic acid, and 11.71% of levulinic acid. On the other hand, the catalysts with chloroacetic acid, butyric acid, anthranilic acid, and phthalic acid were less effective but demonstrated selectivity for sugar production, proving that the liquid phase obtained using the catalyst with those acids can be used as carbon sources for a fermentation process. In general, when comparing the process with or without the use of a catalyst, it is observed that with a catalyst in the reaction, the amount of HMF and furfural produced is reduced and the selectivity with respect to sugar production is increased.

Fe3O4@SiO2‐APA‐Amide/Imid‐NiCl2 as a New Nano‐Magnetic Catalyst for the Synthesis of 4H‐Pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole Derivatives via MCRs Under Solvent‐Free Conditions

AbstractThis study presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel nano‐magnetic catalyst, Fe3O4@SiO2‐APA‐amide/imid‐NiCl2, designed for the efficient production of 4H‐pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole derivatives under environmentally friendly, solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst combines magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a silica shell and functionalized amide and imidazole groups, which enhance its catalytic activity and stability. By optimizing the reaction conditions, we achieved high yields of the target compounds while minimizing the environmental impact. The catalyst's magnetic properties facilitate easy separation and recovery, making it an attractive option for sustainable organic synthesis. The successful synthesis of the catalyst was confirmed through comprehensive characterization techniques, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate that Fe3O4@SiO2‐APA‐amide/imid‐NiCl2 is a highly effective and reusable catalyst for the environmentally friendly synthesis of biologically relevant pyrimido[2,1‐b]benzothiazole derivatives, contributing to the advancement of green methodologies in organic chemistry.

Discovery of broad-spectrum high-affinity peptide ligands of spike protein for the vaccine purification of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants

To combat with emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), we report the identification of a set of unique HWK-motif peptide ligands for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein from a phage-displayed peptide library. These HWK-motif peptides exhibited nanomolar affinity for RBD. Among them, the peptide, HWKAVNWLKPWT (SP-HWK), had not only the highest affinities for RBD and trimer S protein, but also broad-spectrum affinities for RBDs from VOCs. Molecular dynamics simulations and competitive ELISA revealed a conserved pocket between the cryptic and the outer faces of RBD for SP-HWK binding, distinct from the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor binding site. By coupling SP-HWK to agarose gel, the as-prepared affinity gel could efficiently capture RBD and trimer S from the ancestral strain and the Omicron variant, and the bound targets could be recovered by mild elution at pH 6.0. More importantly, the affinity gel presented excellent and stable chromatographic performance in the purification of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron vaccines, affording high yields and purities, and strong HCP reduction. The results demonstrated the potential of SP-HWK as a broad-spectrum peptide ligand for developing a universal platform for the vaccine purification of SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs.

Safe Utilization of In Situ Generated HCN Gas from Oxyma and DIC: One‐Pot Conversion of Aryl Bromide to Aryl Nitrile in the Presence of Pd Catalyst

AbstractHerein, we have first time attempted to use of in situ generated HCN gas from oxyma (ethyl cyano(hydroxyimino) acetate) and DIC (diisopropylcarbodiimide) in the synthesis of aryl/heteroaryl nitriles from aryl/heteroaryl bromides. This protocol is safe to handle, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Subsequently, this established protocol was used for the conversion of a wide range of substrates into corresponding benzonitriles in moderate to high yields (35%–85%).

Facile Synthesis of Phthalazinone/Isoindolinone Substituted Fluorescence Active Indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline Derivatives via ANRORC and Fluorescence Turn Off Sensing of Fe2+

AbstractSynthesis of a series of indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline derivatives substituted with phthalazinones/isoindolinones/carbonyl benzoylesters at C‐4 position have been accomplished under open air rt/heating conditions following ANRORC (Addition of Nucleophile, Ring Opening and Ring Closure) mechanism. Initially condensation of 2‐(1‐indolyl)‐aniline and ninhydrin generates a spirocyclic intermediate 5′H‐spiro[indene‐2,6′‐indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline]‐1,3‐dione, which upon reaction with various nucleophiles like hydrazine/phenylhydrazine, amines and alcohols affords C‐4 substituted indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalines in high yield (up to ~88 %) via ANRORC. The photophysical investigation shows that the quinoxaline derivatives possess significant fluorescence property with high quantum yield (QY~11.0–17.0). The N‐phenylphthalazinone substituted indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline, a molecule structurally similar to 2,2′‐bipyridine system, can efficiently and selectively detect Fe2+ through fluorescence turn off sensing.

Evaluation of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm for Wheat Rust Diseases Resistance and Yield Performance

The most important biotic constraints for wheat production in Ethiopia are Wheat rust diseases, insects, and weeds. Among wheat rust diseases, stem rust and yellow rust are the more limiting factors for yield. A study was undertaken at Kulumsa and Melkasa in alpha lattice design with two replications from July to December 2023 to evaluate the performance of introduced bread wheat materials from CIMMYT for wheat rust diseases and yield. Data were collected for stem rust, yellow rust, and agronomic traits, including grain yield. The ANOVA showed high and significant genotypic variation (p<0.05) on Days to heading (DTH), Hectoliter weight (HLW), Thousand kernels weight (TKW), and Yield (YLD). Then, the result from LSD mean comparision revealed genotypes: EBW222102 YLD=7.7 t ha-1, EBW222106 YLD= 7.61 t ha-1, EBW222108 YLD=7.66 tha-1, EBW222136 YLD= 7.76 t ha-1 to be significantly higher than the check variety Daka YLD= 6.22 t ha-1 (p<0.05) at Kulumsa. Genotypes: EBW222108, EBW222109, EBW222111, EBW222112, EBW222114, EBW222125, EBW222142, and EBW222143 showed resistance to moderate resistance for yellow rust and stem rust across both locations. About eighteen genotypes were susceptible to stem rust diseases with the coefficient of infection YRCI≥30 at Melkasa. Genotypes EBW222111, EBW222126, EBW222129, EBW222134, and EBW222142 delivered high yield, greater than or equal to 2 t ha-1 at Melkasa. Generally, selection for disease resistance and high-yielding genotypes enable the development and release of noble varieties for wheat-producing farmers.

Simulating the exploration of the optimal irrigation of spring wheat in drought areas based on SWAP model

AbstractWater scarcity and low irrigation efficiency are the main factors causing yield losses in spring wheat in arid areas. To propose optimised irrigation scheduling for spring wheat in the arid areas of Ningxia, China, we first calibrated the SWAP (soil–water–atmosphere–plant) model and then utilised the well‐tested SWAP model during three typical rainfall years to evaluate the 542 irrigation schemes. The results showed that the model performed well in simulating the plant height, leaf area index (LAI) and biomass of spring wheat under different water stress conditions. The R2 values of the above three crop growth indicators were all greater than 0.89, and the normalised root mean square error (NRMSE) was less than 18% in the validation period. Additionally, the model achieved a high degree of accuracy in simulating the soil water content, evapotranspiration and yield, with RMSEs of 2%, 31 mm, and 326 kg/ha, respectively. The total irrigation amounts of 290, 320 and 350 mm with five, six and six irrigation times in the wet, average, and dry years, respectively, could achieve relatively high yields as well as improved water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). The results can provide useful information for the efficient utilisation of irrigation water resources in arid areas.