Highest Dry Biomass Yield Research Articles

Enhanced Efficiency Organo-Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer improves Yield and Quality of Red Amaranth

Crop production with increased yield in a sustainable manner requires less environmental impact. Therefore, a pot experiment was accomplished to investigate the effect of newly developed enhanced efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizer and conventional N fertilizers on the growth, yield, nutritional quality, and N use efficiency of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor cv. BARI lalshak 1). All the pots were placed at the experimental pot-house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University following a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Brown coal-urea (BCU) was applied as enhanced efficiency N fertilizer following top dressing and basal application strategy where urea and diammonium phosphate were applied as conventional N fertilizer. All the N fertilizers were applied at five rates viz., 0, 50, 75, 100, 150 kg N ha ̶ 1. The growth parameters and biomass yield of red amaranth were significantly impacted by varying amounts and types of N fertilizers. The highest dry biomass yield was obtained at 150 kg N ha ̶ 1 whereas the highest number of branch plant ̶ 1 was found at 100 kg N ha ̶ 1. Again, the highest biomass N concentration was found at 100 kg N ha ̶ 1. Application of a higher dose of fertilizer showed the highest N concentration in the post-harvest soil. Overall, the growth parameters and biomass N concentration were the highest in BCU basal-treated soil. In contrast, BCU top-dressed soil showed a higher N concentration after harvest than all other treatments. Based on the overall findings, the use of higher-efficiency organo-mineral N fertilizer has the potential to serve as a viable substitute for traditional N fertilizers in the context of sustainable crop production with reduced environmental effects. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 5(1): 37-44, 2023

Response of tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter.) variety to varying seed rates and inter-row spacings for growth, yield and lodging severity in Western Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Tef is a small-seeded staple crop endemic to Ethiopia. However, its yield is low, constrained partly due to improper agronomic practices and lodging. Thus, during the 2019–2020 cropping season, a field experiment was carried out at Reef Tokko Taanne Hamilee in Hababo Guduru district, Western Ethiopia to examine the effects of seed rate and inter-row spacing on growth, phenology, yield, and lodging severity of tef crop. Three levels of seed rates (10, 15, and 20 kg ha−1) and three styles of row spacing (10, 15, and 20 cm) were combined in a factorial combination in a randomized block design with three replications.Tef variety called ‘Guduru’ was used as planting material. The result showed that seed rate and inter-row spacing had significant (p < 0.01) effects on all phenological and yield-related characteristics studied. Moreover, days to heading, days to maturity, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by the interaction effects of both seed rate and inter-row spacing. Higher days to heading (68 days) and days to maturity (127 days) were recorded at a seeding rate of 20 kg ha–1 and10 cm inter-row spacing. Tef variety (Guduru) was taller (127.2 cm) under 10 kg ha–1 seed rate as compared to a higher seed rate of 20 kg ha–1 (120.8 cm). The highest dry biomass yield (51.3 kg plot−1) was obtained from a seeding rate of 20 kg ha−1 in combination with 20 cm inter-row spacing. Besides this, the maximum mean grain yield (19.8 kg plot−1) was recorded from 20 kg ha−1seed rate and 15 cm inter-row spacing to achieve a higher yield in the study area. Furthermore, the highest straw yield (35.99 kg plot−1) was produced from the highest seed rate of 20 kg ha−1, whereas the smallest inter-row spacing (10 cm) produced the highest straw yield (33.5 kg plot−1). The maximum harvest index (56.1%) was obtained from 20 kg ha−1 seed rate and 15 cm inter-row spacing, a similar treatment combination as in the case of grain yield. 10 kg ha−1 seed rate and 20 cm inter-row spacing showed lowest lodging severity (24.1%) and (32.3%), respectively. The result suggests that sowing of tef at 20 kg ha−1 seed rate combined with 10 cm inter-row spacing which resulted in higher grain yield, straw yield and harvest index, could be recommended in the study area to achieve higher tef production.

YIELD AND YIELD RELATED PERFORMANCE OF COWPEA (Vignia unguiculata L.) VARIETIES TESTED AT DIFFERENT FERTILIZER USE UNDER IRRIGATION, CENTRAL GONDAR ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Inadequate quantity and quality feeds is the major constraints to livestock production in majority of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This necessitates the need to follow economically viable forage production. A study was conducted to evaluate the yield and yield related performance of cowpea (Vignia unguiculata L.) varieties under irrigation in 2017 and 2018 years. The experiment was laid down in a split plot design with randomized complete block design (RCBD) arrangement in four replications. There were two main plots of which one was planted with fertilizer and the other one without fertilizer for comparison and the sub plot treatments were eight varieties of Cowpea (Vignia unguiculata) (ILRI 9333, ILRI 9334, ILRI 11114, ILRI 12688, ILRI 12713, Kenkety, Black eye bean and IT92KD258-9). The data collected consisted of plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, forage biomass yield (t ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt;), dry matter yield (t ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt;), leaf to stem ratio, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, grain yield (kg ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt;), thousand seed weight (g) and haulm yield (t ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt;). All data were subjected to analysis of variance procedures, with significance test at p&lt;0.05. The results revealed that highest dry biomass yield (t ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt;) was recorded when Cowpea varieties ILRI 9334, ILRI 11114, ILRI 12688 and IT92KD258-9 planted with fertilizer. The highest haulm yield was obtained from Cowpea varieties ILRI 9334, ILRI 11114 and ILRI 12713 when planted with fertilizer and when ILRI 9334, ILRI 12688, ILRI 12713 and IT92KD258-9 Cowpea varities planted with out fertilizer. Cowpea varieties Kenkety and IT92KD258-9 produced higher grain yield compared to other varieties. Cowpea varieties ILRI 9333, ILRI 11114, ILRI 12688, ILRI 12713 and IT92KD258-9 when planted with and with out fertilizer; when variety ILRI- 9334 and Kenkety planted only with fertilizer and also variety Black eye bean when planted with out fertilizer was found economically profitable. Therefore, based on the study results, planting Cowpea varieties ILRI 9334, ILRI 11114, ILRI 12688 and IT92KD258-9 with 100 kg ha&lt;sup&lt;-1&lt;/sup&lt; NPS fertilizer appears to be more preferable regarding biomass yield and were found potentially profitable.

Quality of hydroponic forage corn cultivated on different by-product substrates

Abstract Hydroponic corn cultivation is an efficient, fast, and feasible alternative for periods of food scarcity; however, there is still little information on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the produced biomass, especially with regard to substrates. This study aimed to evaluate the productive and qualitative aspects of hydroponic feed corn grown on different substrates with a cultivation period of 15 days. Four substrates were evaluated: 1) fermented whole açaí seeds, 2) crushed açaí seeds, 3) sugarcane bagasse, and 4) ground Tifton hay, with five replications under a randomized block design. Substrate temperature was monitored during the production period. After harvesting on day 15, roots length (RL), shoot length (SL), biomass dry matter content (BDM), dry biomass yield, forage dry mass productivity, crude protein (CP), and ash content were assessed. There was no correlation of growth period and substrate temperature. RL was not affected by substrates, BDM was lower in treatment 3, CP was not influenced, and ash content was higher in treatment 1. In general, the best development was observed in treatment 1 because of the absence of distinction regarding qualitative parameters (CP and ash) and higher granulometry of whole açaí seeds which affects mass density and substrate aeration, thus allowing higher dry biomass yield.

English

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food and cash crop in southwest Ethiopia with multiple uses. Productivity of the crop is, however, low at national as well as regional levels, mainly due to low soil fertility. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is particularly important in acid soils of southwest Ethiopia affecting growth and yield of seed legumes in general and that of common beans in particular. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the response of common bean cultivars to P application on Nitisols of Jimma in 2016 main cropping season. The treatments consisted of three common bean cultivars (Ibbado, Tatu, and Remeda) and four P fertilizer rates (0, 23, 46, and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in a factorial arrangement replicated three times. Results indicated that interaction effects of cultivars and P rates significantly (P < 0.01) influenced phonological parameters, growth parameters, dry biomass yield and seed yield. The highest dry biomass yield (5874 kg ha-1) and seed yield (2821 kg ha-1) were obtained from the treatment combination of cultivar Tatu and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1. The P use efficiency parameters (recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency) were also significantly affected by the interaction effect of cultivar and P application rate. Cultivar Tatu was found to be more P efficient at P rate of 23 kg P2O5 ha-1. In conclusion, the study pointed out that common bean cultivars responded differently to the various P application rates suggesting the possibility of exploiting cultivar differences to combat P deficiency under acidic conditions. Phosphorus at rate of 23 kg ha-1 will be recommendable for P-efficient cultivar based on phosphorus use efficiency parameters. Accordingly, farmer who has no capacity to buy fertilizer cultivar Tatu was recommended to specific soil of study area. However, since the data is only for one season and location repeating the experiment across location may be helpful to validate the results. Key words: Common bean, phosphorus use efficiency, seed yield, and soil acidity.

Yield Components of Adama Red Onion (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Allium cepa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Cultivar as Affected by Intra-row Spacing Under Irrigation in Fiche Condition

A field experiment was conducted at Addis Ababa University, Selale Campus Horticulture department demonstration farm to assess the effect of plant density (intra-row spacing) on some yield components (mean bulb weight, bulb dry weight, fresh biomass yield and dry biomass yield) of Adama red onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivar in 2014/15 under irrigation. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replicates. The analyzed result using ANOVA shows significance difference among the treatments. Maximum mean bulb weight (53.34g), maximum dry bulb weight (28.13g), fresh biomass yield (56.56g) and highest dry biomass yield (42.00g) was recorded in plants spaced at 10cm intra-row spacing. Therefore, it could be conclude that, under Fich condition, good quantity of Adama red onion is possible to produce with intra-row spacing of 10cm which was dominant over the other treatments.

Biomass yield and nitrogen use efficiency of cellulosic energy crops for ethanol production

Abstract With the global increase in energy production from cellulosic crops, high biomass production of energy crops based on lower inputs, particularly less fertilizer and mechanization, are expected. To determine candidate energy crops adapted to temperate Japan and establish a corresponding low-nitrogen-input cultivation system, we preliminarily examined the biomass yield performance and nitrogen consumption of five important cellulosic energy crops, Erianthus , johnsongrass, switchgrass, sorghum, and napiergrass, in comparison with maize and sugarcane (first-generation energy crops) under conventional and higher planting densities. Napiergrass had the highest dry biomass yield with 53.2 t ha −1 y −1 on average, followed in order by sorghum, maize, sugarcane, switchgrass, johnsongrass, and Erianthus . Nitrogen absorption was closely correlated with biomass yield ( r = 0.96, significant at the 1% level). Nitrogen absorption by napiergrass (up to 775.1 kg ha −1 ) was 10-fold higher than nitrogen application by chemical fertilizer (72 kg ha −1 ). There was a significant difference in nitrogen use efficiency between planting densities. We suggest a higher-density design within the suitable density range to improve nitrogen use efficiency and decrease nitrogen depletion from the soil.

SUBDOSES DE HERBICIDA E POTÁSSIO EM COBERTURA NO SISTEMA INTEGRAÇÃO LAVOURA-PECUÁRIA

The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean and Brachiaria forage yields, under a crop-livestock integration system, in terms of increasing covering herbicide and potassium rates. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design, in a split-split-plot scheme, with three replications. The treatments were: cultivars (CD 216 and VMax), for plots; herbicide rates (0 g ha -1 , 0.24 g ha -1 ; and 0.96 g ha -1 of haloxyfop-methyl), for split-plots; and potassium doses (30 kg ha -1 and 60 kg ha -1 of K 2 O), for split-split-plots. VMax presented the highest number of pods per plant, while CD 216 presented the largest number of grains per pods. There was interaction among cultivars and herbicide doses, concerning the one hundred grains mass. For the split-plot, in comparison with VMax, CD 216 showed a higher one hundred grains mass rate. T here were no significant levels of herbicide and K for soybean yield under crop-livestock integration. However, the highest CD 216 and VMax yield rates were obtained at 0 g i.a. ha -1 and 0.96 g i.a. ha -1 of the herbicide and 60 kg ha -1 and 30 kg ha -1 of K 2 O. The K doses which resulted in a higher dry biomass yield rate for Brachiaria brizantha were 30 kg ha -1 of K 2 O, in consortium with the CD 216 cultivar, and 60 kg ha -1 of K 2 O, in consortium with VMax. KEY-WORDS: Brachiaria brizantha ; Glycine max ; herbicides; intercropping; haloxyfop-methyl.