High-yielding Varieties Research Articles

Growth Dynamics of Sugarcane in North Karnataka, India

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) holds immense significance in India's agricultural, economic and industrial spheres. In Karnataka, sugarcane was cultivated on an area of 6.37 lakh hectares with annual production of 61.15 million tonnes (2021-22). Bagalkote district ranked as the state's second-largest sugarcane producer, accounting for 16.82 per cent of the total cultivated area and contributed for 15.06 per cent in the total production of the state. The present study was conducted to know trends in sugarcane cultivation in Karnataka and Bagalkote district. The secondary data on area, production and productivity of sugarcane for a period of 20 years (2001-2021) were collected from the publications of Department of Economics and Statistics (DES) and were analysed using Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and Cuddy Della Valle Index. The results of the analysis revealed a significant compound growth rate of 3.50 per cent annually for sugarcane production in Karnataka, driven by augmented area and productivity and area under sugarcane expanded by 2.92 per cent per annum. In Bagalkote district, sugarcane production increased by 4.21 per cent annually, attributed solely to the increased cultivated area, even though productivity exhibited a slight decline. The Cuddy-Della Valle Index revealed higher instability in production and area compared to productivity in both Karnataka and Bagalkote district. The study highlights the importance of farmers adopting new high-yielding sugarcane varieties that demonstrate resilience to adverse weather conditions, pests, and diseases as a means to sustain and boost productivity for higher sugarcane production.

Genome-wide association study reveals marker-trait associations for major agronomic traits in proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.).

The pilot-scale genome-wide association study in the US proso millet identified twenty marker-trait associations for five morpho-agronomic traits identifying genomic regions for future studies (e.g. molecular breeding and map-based cloning). Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is an ancient grain recognized for its excellent water-use efficiency and short growing season. It is an indispensable part of the winterwheat-based dryland cropping system in the High Plains of the USA. Its grains are endowed with high nutritional and health-promoting properties, making it increasingly popular in the global market for healthy grains. There is a dearth of genomic resources in proso millet for developing molecular tools to complement conventional breeding for developing high-yielding varieties. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a widely used method to dissect the genetics of complex traits. In this pilot study of the first-ever GWAS in the US proso millet, 71 globally diverse genotypes of 109 the US proso millet core collection were evaluated for five major morpho-agronomic traits at two locations in western Nebraska, and GWAS was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these traits. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference among the genotypes, and all five traits were also found to be highly correlated with each other. Sequence reads from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to identify 11,147 high-quality bi-allelic SNPs. Population structure analysis with those SNPs showed stratification within the core collection. The GWAS identified twenty marker-trait associations (MTAs) for the five traits. Twenty-nine putative candidate genes associated with the five traits were also identified. These genomic regions can be used to develop genetic markers for marker-assisted selection in proso millet breeding.

Minor Millets: Miracle Grain of South India

Minor millets are important traditional food crops for dry land farmers in India. India has the third largest area under minor millets cultivation in the world. Minor millets such as finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, kodo millet, little millet and barnyard millet are considered as a climate-smart crop. Since these crops are widely divergent for thermo and photoperiods and hence these are known for their climatic resilience and are relatively less prone to biotic stress factors. Added these crops are rich in protein, fat, crude fiber, iron and other minerals and vitamins with low glycemic index in comparison to cereals like wheat and rice. Hence they are labelled as nutri- cereals and act as the source of food, feed and fodder. Minor millets have curative and nutrient - rich properties in the form of antioxidants which prevent weakening of human health such as lowering blood pressure, risk of heart disease, obesity, prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes etc. Owing to its health benefits, the minor millets output has increased recently due to the availability of high-yielding varieties, pest and disease - resistant varieties, and improved cultivation techniques, rising by 1.05 percent annually. This review aims to document the production status, demand, varietal diversity, current consumption pattern, processing, nutrient composition and therapeutic potential of minor millets for further research on various aspects.

Assessing the productive potential of high-yielding rice varieties on acid sulfate soils in the tidal swampland of Central Kalimantan

Abstract Tidal swampland holds significant agricultural potential including cultivating rice. Farmers in these regions typically cultivate local rice varieties. Breeding rice techniques have led to the development of superior rice well-suited to thrive in tidal swamplands. This research was conducted on acid sulfate soil within a tidal swampland located in Terusan Karya Village, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, during the 2021 dry season. The study employed a completely randomized block design with two replications. The experimental treatments comprised nine high-yielding rice varieties: Inpari IR Nutri Zinc, Cakrabuana Agritan, Inpari 3, Inpari 32, Inpari 42, Inpari 47, Inpara 2, Inpara 8, and Inpara 10. The parameters were observed, including plant height, panicle number per hill, panicle length, and grain yield. The high-yielding varieties of rice planted in acid sulfate tidal swamplands exhibit varying growth and yield performances. Grain yields of rice ranged from 5.45 to 7.30 t ha−1 of dry-milled grain. The highest grain yield was shown by Inpari 3 (7.30 t ha−1) and Inpari 32 (7.04 t ha−1). High heritability values are indicated by the traits of dry harvest and milled grains, while wide variability is shown by characters such as plant height, panicle length, grain dry harvest, and dry milled.

Grain diversity of rice collection from South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract South Sulawesi province is among the Indonesia rice barns, which is expected to buffer the national rice supply. Although rice stock is mainly produced from high-yielding superior varieties, local germplasm is still the main basis for variety development. Local germplasm has been adapted to various agro-ecosystems and thus has potential as a genetic source for adaptation to climate change. This study was aimed at measuring the diversity of rice germplasm from South Sulawesi based on its grain characteristics. A total of 98 rice accessions that were conserved in the agricultural genebank were examined. Grain length, shape, color, and other grain-related characters were observed following the international standard descriptors for rice. NTSYS-PC software version 2.2 was used to perform clustering analysis. Rice collections from South Sulawesi showed diversity in their grain characteristics. The majority of seeds are awnless, have medium length, medium shape, and straw-colored lemmae-palea and attributed with medium-sized and straw-colored sterile lemmae, and the dehulled grain bran is predominantly white. The rice accessions can be grouped into eight clusters at a similarity level of 52%. This diversity and similarity information is important for germplasm management and utilization. However, due to the limited number of characters used, information from this study cannot yet be used as a basis for their management. More comprehensive characterization efforts need to be conducted in order to make this study more usable, both in supporting conservation and for their utilization

Identification and fine mapping of a major QTL, qGPC4D, for grain protein content using wheat–Aegilopstauschii introgression lines

Wheat is a staple cereal crop that is crucial for food security and human health. Improving wheat quality has become an essential task for breeders to meet escalating market demand. In this study, a set of wheat-Aegilops tauschii introgression lines was developed from a cross between the high-yielding wheat variety Jimai 22 and Ae. tauschii Y215. A high-density genetic map containing 2,727 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was constructed using a 55K SNP array to conduct quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for grain quality-related traits. Eight QTL were identified for grain protein content (GPC), starch content, and wet gluten content in the two environments. Among them, a major and environmentally stable QTL, qGPC4D, for GPC was identified, with favorable alleles contributed by Ae. tauschii Y215. Subsequently, qGPC4D was narrowed down to a 9.88 Mb physical interval through further fine mapping utilizing the introgression lines. Additionally, three linked SNP of qGPC4D were converted into high-throughput kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers and validated in the introgression population. These findings offer promising candidate genes, elite introgression lines, and KASP markers for wheat high-quality breeding.

Comparative seed yields of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.): evaluating seeds sources and fertilizers

Abstract The use of high-quality seeds from high-yielding rice varieties (HYV) is crucial for enhancing grain yield. Yet, the supply of certified seed meets only 57.3% of the total rice seed demand, leading some farmers to plant non-certified local rice seeds. A study examining the effects of seed sources and fertilization on seed yields was conducted in Bogor Village, Sukra District, Indramayu Regency during the Dry Season of 2019. The treatments consisted of two factors: A. Seed sources (Local non-certified seed (Local-NC), HYV non-certified seed (HYV-NC), and HYV-certified seed) and B. Fertilization methods (Recommended Fertilizer (RF), RF+BioF, RF+P as top dressing, and RF+N as top dressing). These were designed in a Complete Block Design with three replications. Results showed that Local-NC was more susceptible to BPH and RSB than HYV varieties. Additionally, Local-NC had the highest percentage of off-type plants and produced the lowest grain and seed yields. The addition of P or N fertilizer to RF during the heading stage notably improved the panicle number per hill, 1000-grain, seed yields and rendement. Our findings suggest that optimal rice seed yields can be achieved by planting HYV– certified seeds and applying either RF + 18 kg P ha−1 or RF + 11.5 kg N ha−1 as top dressing.

Spectral-genomic chain-model approach enhances the wheat yield component prediction under the Mediterranean climate.

In light of the changing climate that jeopardizes future food security, genomic selection is emerging as a valuable tool for breeders to enhance genetic gains and introduce high-yielding varieties. However, predicting grain yield is challenging due to the genetic and physiological complexities involved and the effect of genetic-by-environment interactions on prediction accuracy. We utilized a chained model approach to address these challenges, breaking down the complex prediction task into simpler steps. A diversity panel with a narrow phenological range was phenotyped across three Mediterranean environments for various morpho-physiological and yield-relatedtraits. The results indicated that a multi-environment model outperformed a single-environment model in prediction accuracy for most traits. However, prediction accuracy forgrain yield was not improved. Thus, in an attempt to ameliorate the grain yield prediction accuracy, we integrated a spectral estimation of spike number, being a major wheat yield component, with genomic data. A machine learning approach was used for spike number estimation from canopy hyperspectral reflectance captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The spectral-based estimated spike number was utilized as a secondary trait in a multi-trait genomic selection, significantly improving grain yield prediction accuracy. Moreover, the ability to predict the spike number based on data from previous seasons implies that it could be applied to new trials at various scales, even in small plot sizes. Overall, we demonstrate here that incorporating a novel spectral-genomic chain-model workflow, which utilizes spectral-based phenotypes as a secondary trait, improves the predictive accuracy of wheat grain yield.

Особенности компонентного состава эфирного масла перспективных сортов мяты перечной и пути повышения его выхода

Medicinal preparations (pharmaceutical products) based on essential oils are used in the treatment of many diseases. Pepper mint Mentha piperita is one of the most important essential oil crop. Menthol obtained from peppermint oil is included in the preparations Validol, Corvalol, Valokordin, Pectusin, and Menovazine. The demand of the Russian pharmaceutical industry for mint raw materials at the ex-pense of its own production is not fully satisfied. It can be increased by development new high-yielding varieties of mint and developing modern methods of their cultivation. For this purpose, new high-yielding varieties Aisberg and Aromatnaya, differing in essential oil content and component composition, were developed in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The variety Aisberg has a high content of oil (4.98%) and menthol in it, while the variety Aromatnaya has a low content of essential oil (1.95%) and a high content of menthone and minor components, which allows these oils to be used in different industries – pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetic, and food. The application of natural retardant Hardy on the studied moint varieties promoted the increase of essential oil content in raw material by 22–27% and the increase of biologically active components in essential oil: menthol in the variety Aisberg, menthone in the variety Aromatnaya. To ensure a high yield of mint oil per hectare, the complex application of EcoFus (an organomineral fertilizer) and Siliplant (a silicon-containing microfertilizer) is appropriate at the beginning of plant growth and Hardy (retardant) – in the phase of budding. This method increased the yield of the studied mint varieties by 12–13%, the content of essential oil by 26–29%, and oil yield per a hectare by 41–45%.

Local Varieties and Their Importance

Local varieties, which are one of the important elements of cultural heritage, continue to exist today by being carried from generation to generation. These varieties, which are called by different names such as local varieties, village varieties-village populations, old varieties, amateur varieties, are defined as medium-yielding, variable populations with high adaptation and stress tolerance, used by our ancestors in the past, continuously improved by local producers using traditional methods. Local varieties, which are the common heritage of biodiversity and culture, are subject to genetic erosion due to many reasons such as the increasing use of high-yielding modern varieties and the old age of the people who protect these varieties. Our local varieties, which are also very valuable for breeding studies, are important for food safety, the continuation of local traditions and flavors, and human and environmental health. In this review article, local varieties, their importance and historical process are discussed with related studies.

The Crucial Role of Tillage and Nutrient Management in Enhancing Wheat Production

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the second most vital grain globally, underpins food security for the world’s population. The mid-1960s to the present have seen a green revolution driven by high-yielding wheat varieties, improved irrigation, and chemical fertilizers. Despitethese advances, food security in key wheat-producing areas faces threats due to a 50% output disparity and recent yield plateaus. This stagnation, alongside biotic and abiotic stresses and resource depletion, is compounded by nutritional deficiencies, leading to declining productivity, profits, and increased environmental impacts. Addressing these challenges necessitates focusing on nutrient management and tillage practices to maximize yields and maintain soil health. Effective tillage practices enhance soil structure and nutrient availability, while appropriate nutrient management ensures that the crop’s needs are met using both organic and inorganic sources. This review explores the pros and cons of conventional and modern tillage techniques and nutrient management strategies.It assesses how conservation and conventional tillage impact wheat production across various ecological environments globally and highlights the differing nutrient requirements these methods entail. Tailored nutrient management strategies, aligned with specific tillage practices, are essential to overcoming current production barriers and ensuring sustainable wheat cultivation.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and productivity of four high-yielding rice varieties of Eastern India

Aim: To investigate the integrated nutrient management in agricultural fields using cow dung manure and poultry manure as organic, and NPK as inorganic fertilizer at varied ratios. Methodology: Four rice varieties were selected for the experiment viz., MTU 1010, IET 4786, IET 17430, and IET 9947 under nine organic manure and inorganic fertilizer combinations in different ratios with one control treatment. The cultivation was carried out in three replications in a randomized complete block design. The biometric observations were noted at 30, 55, and 80 days after transplant (DAT). Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), and grain yield were calculated for the varieties under varied treatments. Results: Biometric observation and growth indices confirmed that the treatment T3 showed the highest value among all other treatments for shoot length, dry matter, LAI and LAD for all varieties. Treatment T7 recorded the maximum root length. For CGR treatment T2 and T3 recorded highest value for different varieties. Soil nutrient results suggest that treatment T2-T4 and T6-T8 showed the highest N, P and K content. The results showed significant difference (p<0.05) in grain yield for all the treatments in all varieties, where T3 recorded the highest value. Interpretation: The year experiment revealed that integrated nutrient application resulted in considerably greater growth and productivity compared to the control and 100% inorganic fertilizer-treated cultivation. Key words: Cow dung, Integrated nutrient management, Poultry manure, Plant growth indices, Rice productivity Aim: To investigate the integrated nutrient management in agricultural fields using cow dung manure and poultry manure as organic, and NPK as inorganic fertilizer at varied ratios. Methodology: Four rice varieties were selected for the experiment viz., MTU 1010, IET 4786, IET 17430, and IET 9947 under nine organic manure and inorganic fertilizer combinations in different ratios with one control treatment. The cultivation was carried out in three replications in a randomized complete block design. The biometric observations were noted at 30, 55, and 80 days after transplant (DAT). Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), and grain yield were calculated for the varieties under varied treatments. Results: Biometric observation and growth indices confirmed that the treatment T3 showed the highest value among all other treatments for shoot length, dry matter, LAI and LAD for all varieties. Treatment T7 recorded the maximum root length. For CGR treatment T2 and T3 recorded highest value for different varieties. Soil nutrient results suggest that treatment T2-T4 and T6-T8 showed the highest N, P and K content. The results showed significant difference (p<0.05) in grain yield for all the treatments in all varieties, where T3 recorded the highest value. Interpretation: The year experiment revealed that integrated nutrient application resulted in considerably greater growth and productivity compared to the control and 100% inorganic fertilizer-treated cultivation. Key words: Cow dung, Integrated nutrient management, Poultry manure, Plant growth indices, Rice productivity

Assessing leaf rust resistance in Pakistani wheat landraces and its impact on grain yield

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, is the most widespread rust disease in wheat, involving two hosts: common wheat as the primary host and specific plants like Thalictrum speciosissimum or Isopyrum fumaroides as alternate hosts. The present study investigated the crucial interplay between leaf rust resistance and grain yield in 10 Pakistani wheat landraces. By employing comprehensive assessments, including field trials and molecular analyses, the research sheds light on the resistance mechanisms within these landraces. Moreover, it examines the direct correlation between leaf rust resistance levels and the resultant grain yield, unraveling critical insights into the potential enhancement of wheat cultivars amidst the escalating challenges posed by this devastating disease. The findings hold promise for optimizing agricultural strategies, ensuring sustainable wheat production, and safeguarding global food security. The study focused on 10 bread wheat landraces, examining traits crucial for high-yielding varieties. Traits such as days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, flag leaf area, peduncle length, spike length, grains per spike, as well as measurements like 10-grain width, 10-grain length, and 100-grain weight were recorded. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for these ten genotypes highlighted significant differences (P0.05 and P ≤ 0.01) across all traits.

The cacao gene atlas: a transcriptome developmental atlas reveals highly tissue-specific and dynamically-regulated gene networks in Theobroma cacao L

BackgroundTheobroma cacao, the cocoa tree, is a tropical crop grown for its highly valuable cocoa solids and fat which are the basis of a 200-billion-dollar annual chocolate industry. However, the long generation time and difficulties associated with breeding a tropical tree crop have limited the progress of breeders to develop high-yielding disease-resistant varieties. Development of marker-assisted breeding methods for cacao requires discovery of genomic regions and specific alleles of genes encoding important traits of interest. To accelerate gene discovery, we developed a gene atlas composed of a large dataset of replicated transcriptomes with the long-term goal of progressing breeding towards developing high-yielding elite varieties of cacao.ResultsWe describe the creation of the Cacao Transcriptome Atlas, its global characterization and define sets of genes co-regulated in highly organ- and temporally-specific manners. RNAs were extracted and transcriptomes sequenced from 123 different tissues and stages of development representing major organs and developmental stages of the cacao lifecycle. In addition, several experimental treatments and time courses were performed to measure gene expression in tissues responding to biotic and abiotic stressors. Samples were collected in replicates (3–5) to enable statistical analysis of gene expression levels for a total of 390 transcriptomes. To promote wide use of these data, all raw sequencing data, expression read mapping matrices, scripts, and other information used to create the resource are freely available online. We verified our atlas by analyzing the expression of genes with known functions and expression patterns in Arabidopsis (ACT7, LEA19, AGL16, TIP13, LHY, MYB2) and found their expression profiles to be generally similar between both species. We also successfully identified tissue-specific genes at two thresholds in many tissue types represented and a set of genes highly conserved across all tissues.ConclusionThe Cacao Gene Atlas consists of a gene expression browser with graphical user interface and open access to raw sequencing data files as well as the unnormalized and CPM normalized read count data mapped to several cacao genomes. The gene atlas is a publicly available resource to allow rapid mining of cacao gene expression profiles. We hope this resource will be used to help accelerate the discovery of important genes for key cacao traits such as disease resistance and contribute to the breeding of elite varieties to help farmers increase yields.

Assessment of wheat genotypes for spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc.) resistance under artificial epiphytotic conditions in the inner terai of Nepal

Spot blotch, caused by (Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc.) is a significant fungal disease leading to economic losses in wheat (Triticum aestivum), especially in regions with low soil fertility and warm, humid climates, such as the inner Terai of Nepal. A field experiment was conducted at the National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, during winter of 2021/022 with an aim of identifying wheat genotypes with spot blotch resistance under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Each genotype was sown in a single 2-meter long row alongside susceptible check genotypes (Agra and Morocco) at every 20th row. Aqueous spore suspension of B. sorokiniana was applied twice in border rows during the booting stage at 15-day intervals. Disease severity was assessed four times at five-day intervals using a double-digit scale based on the percentage blighted area on the flag and penultimate leaf, and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. The results categorized 43 genotypes as resistant, 127 as moderately resistants, 135 as moderately susceptible, 66 as susceptible, and 7 as highly susceptible based on AUDPC. Cluster analysis identified cluster 3 comprising 17 genotypes as superior in terms of disease resistance as well as agronomic parameters. NRN-34 emerged as the top-ranked genotype within this cluster, followed by NAL-73, NAL-94, NAL-12, NRN-34, NAL-57, NAL-43, NAL-82, and NAL-35, exhibiting lower AUDPC values and higher yield-attributing character values. This study will aid breeders in developing spot blotch-resistant and high-yielding wheat varieties by incorporating the identified promising genotypes into further breeding programs.

Derivate OJIP Variables in Sugarcane to Predict Cane Weight, Sucrose Content, and Sugar Yield

The amount of carbohydrates in sugarcane directly results from photosynthesis. This means that we can predict the weight of the cane, sucrose content, and sugar yield by examining the photosynthesis process. One way to measure the amount of photosynthesis is by using chlorophyll fluorescence or the OJIP test. This study aimed to determine the dominant OJIP variable that could predict cane weight, sucrose content, sugar yield, and measurement time. The study was conducted at the Asembagus Experimental Station in Situbondo Regency, East Java, Indonesia, from December 2016 to October 2017 using two-bud stem cuttings from 18 sugarcane clones and arranged them in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Each clone in one replication was planted in five rows, each row being five meters long, and the center-to-center distance was 130 cm. OJIP variables were measured during the stalk elongation phase and the maturity phase. The results showed that sugarcane clones influenced OJIP variables other than Fv/Fm, cane weight, sucrose content, and sugar yield. The most accurate time for measuring OJIP variables was during the maturity phase. The dominant OJIP variables that could predict cane weight and sugar yield were TRo/RC, DIo/CS, ABS/RC, and PI (79.4% and 76.0%). The dominant predictors of yield were RC/CSo, RC/CSm, DIo/CS, PI, ABS/RC, and ETo/RC (92.9%). This study found that measuring OJIP variables during the maturity phase is ideal for predicting cane weight, sucrose content, and sugar yield. The OJIP test can quickly identify high-yielding sugarcane varieties.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles and its efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani, a fungus causing sheath blight disease in rice.

Rice (Oryza sativa) stands as a crucial staple food worldwide, especially in Bangladesh, where it ranks as the third-largest producer. However, intensified cultivation has made high-yielding rice varieties susceptible to various biotic stresses, notably sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani, which inflicts significant yield losses annually. Traditional fungicides, though effective, pose environmental and health risks. To address this, nanotechnology emerges as a promising avenue, leveraging the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles like silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This study explored the green synthesis of AgNPs using Ipomoea carnea leaf extract and silver nitrate (AgNO3), and also examined their efficacy against sheath blight disease in rice. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized through various analytical techniques such as UV-vis spectrophotometer, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Particle size analyzer, Zeta potential, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for confirming their successful production and crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The results of UV-visible spectrophotometers revealed an absorption peak ranging from 421 to 434 nm, validated the synthesis of AgNPs in the solution. XRD, DLS, and TEM estimated AgNPs sizes were ~45 nm, 66.2nm, and 46.38 to 73.81 nm, respectively. SEM and FESEM demonstrated that the synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape. In vitro assays demonstrated the significant inhibitory effects of AgNPs on mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani, particularly at higher concentrations and pH levels. Further greenhouse and field experiments validated the antifungal efficacy of AgNPs against sheath blight disease in rice, exhibiting comparable effectiveness to commercial fungicides. The findings highlight the potential of AgNPs as a sustainable and effective alternative for managing rice sheath blight disease, offering a safer solution amidst environmental concerns associated with conventional fungicides.

Evaluation of white seeded sesame (Sesamum indicium L.) genotypes on growth and yield performance in Menit Goldya Woreda of West Omo Zone, SWE

Sesame is the second export crop next to coffee in annual export, indicating the highest 14% of the total world export of the crop. In Africa, Sudan is the major sesame producer, followed by Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda and Ethiopia. But lack of well-adapted varieties are one of the bottleneck production problems that account for low yield and small areas cropped to the nation. Thus it is essential to evaluate such genotypes, which have high yield potential and are suitable to local environmental conditions. Therefore, field experiments were conducted at west Omo zone during 2019/20 main cropping seasons at one location of West- the Omo zone, southwest Ethiopia. The location was Menit Goldiya districts of West Omo Zone, through evaluation and selection of high-yielding sesame varieties. The study comprised of five improved and one local sesame varieties laid out in RCBD with three replications at each location. The growth and yield data were collected and analyzed by using SAS Version 9.3 statistical software. The result of the study revealed that all of the parameters considered were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by varieties on both years. Accordingly, at Menit Goldiya for, all parameters in both years and the combined analysis over the years indicated that maximum plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, thousand seed weights in grams and seed yield were observed for the Humera-1 variety. Likewise, the shortest days to flowering, early maturing, the highest length of capsule bearing zone, the maximum number of capsules per plant, the highest number of seeds per capsule and the maximum seed yield (8.13 Qu/ha) were observed for the Humera-1 variety in 2019/2020 growing seasons. Based on the mean total seed yield of locations and different yield evaluation methods, a high-yielding variety was identified. Accordingly, the Humera-1 variety performed best on both years. Therefore, this variety can play a vital role in food self-sufficiency and food security of the south-western region and it should be widely distributed to farmers of the testing locations and similar areas of the region.

Optimizing Soybean Cultivation in Uttarakhand's Tarai Region Using the DSSAT CROPGRO Modeling Approach

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital oilseed crop globally, but in India, its average grain yields remain relatively low despite the presence of high-yielding varieties. This study aimed to optimize soybean cultivation in the Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India, by exploring the impact of different sowing dates on crop growth and yield using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) CROPGRO model. The experiment was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, using a split-plot design with three replications. The model was calibrated and validated for different sowing dates, and key parameters such as emergence days, physiological maturity days, grain yield, harvest index, and leaf area index were compared between simulated and observed values. During validation RMSE and R2 was 48.44 and 0.90 for grain yield, 1.10 and 0.99 for physiological maturity, 0.042 and 0.99 for harvest index and 1.14 and 0.97 for LAI respectively. The results showed that adjusting sowing dates can significantly affect soybean growth and yield, with optimal sowing times resulting in higher yields and better crop performance. Specifically, sowing on July 22nd resulted in the highest grain yield, while sowing on August 21st led to the lowest. The DSSAT CROPGRO model proved to be a valuable tool for simulating soybean growth and predicting crop outcomes under varying environmental conditions.

Integration of molecular breeding and multi-resistance screening for developing a promising restorer line Guihui5501 with heavy grain, good grain quality, and endurance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Rice, a critical staple on a global scale, faces escalating challenges in yield preservation due to the rising prevalence of abiotic and biotic stressors, exacerbated by frequent climatic fluctuations in recent years. Moreover, the scorching climate prevalent in the rice-growing regions of South China poses obstacles to the cultivation of good-quality, heavy-grain varieties. Addressing this dilemma requires the development of resilient varieties capable of withstanding multiple stress factors. To achieve this objective, our study employed the broad-spectrum blast-resistant line Digu, the brown planthopper (BPH)-resistant line ASD7, and the heavy-grain backbone restorer lines Fuhui838 (FH838) and Shuhui527 (SH527) as parental materials for hybridization and multiple crossings. The incorporation of molecular markers facilitated the rapid pyramiding of six target genes (Pi5, Pita, Pid2, Pid3, Bph2, and Wxb ). Through a comprehensive evaluation encompassing blast resistance, BPH resistance, cold tolerance, grain appearance, and quality, alongside agronomic trait selection, a promising restorer line, Guihui5501 (GH5501), was successfully developed. It demonstrated broad-spectrum resistance to blast, exhibiting a resistance frequency of 77.33% against 75 artificially inoculated isolates, moderate resistance to BPH (3.78 grade), strong cold tolerance during the seedling stage (1.80 grade), and characteristics of heavy grains (1,000-grain weight reaching 35.64 g) with good grain quality. The primary rice quality parameters for GH5501, with the exception of alkali spreading value, either met or exceeded the second-grade national standard for premium edible rice varieties, signifying a significant advancement in the production of good-quality heavy-grain varieties in the southern rice-growing regions. Utilizing GH5501, a hybrid combination named Nayou5501, characterized by high yield, good quality, and resistance to multiple stresses, was bred and received approval as a rice variety in Guangxi in 2021. Furthermore, genomic analysis with gene chips revealed that GH5501 possessed an additional 20 exceptional alleles, such as NRT1.1B for efficient nitrogen utilization, SKC1 for salt tolerance, and STV11 for resistance to rice stripe virus. Consequently, the restorer line GH5501 could serve as a valuable resource for the subsequent breeding of high-yielding, good-quality, and stress-tolerant hybrid rice varieties.