100-seed Weight Research Articles

Efficacy of Fe-BC in enhancing growth, photosynthesis, nutrition, and alleviating the toxicity of Cd and Cr in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): A tool for managing the environment and attaining sustainable agriculture

Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) pose serious threats to food safety and ecosystem stability. In current study, pristine biochar (BC) and iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) were prepared, and the potential of BC and Fe-BC to reduce the bioavailability of Cd and Cr in soil, their uptake, toxicity in rapeseed (Brassica napus L) and the mechanisms involved were examined. In a pot experiment varying levels of BC and Fe-BC were applied to Cd and Cr-contaminated soil. The results indicated that soil supplementation with the highest level of Fe-BC (2 %) incremented the dry weights of roots, shoots, and seeds by 65 %, 33 %, and 149 %, respectively. Additionally, Fe-BC (2 %) treated rapeseed plants showed highest increase in photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 emissions, and chlorophyll contents by 43.2 %, 39.5 %, 33.5, 36.9 % and 28 %, respectively. Plants treated with Fe-BC (2 %) showed amplified superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. The results regarding saturated and unsaturated fatty acid contents of seeds showed that Fe-BC (2 %) treatment exhibited the greatest increase in linolenic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, and linoleic acid contents, increasing these acids by 21 %, 6.5 %, 53 %, and 14.5 %, respectively. Moreover, Fe-BC (2 %) treated seeds depicted increased oil and protein contents by 14 % and 29 %, respectively. Soil application of Fe-BC (2 %) dramatically decreased Cd and Cr levels in the roots, shoots, and seeds by 21 %, 44 %, 88 %, 16 %, 38 %, and 57 %, respectively. The addition of Fe-BC significantly lowered the concentration of exchangeable (Exc) and bound to carbonate (B-C) fractions of Cd and Cr in the soil, while increasing that of iron-manganese (B-Fe-Mn) bounded and residual (Res) fractions. In conclusion, soil application of the Fe-BC amendment could be used as a sustainable approach to reduce the ecological and environmental risks associated with soils contaminated with Cd and Cr, and ensure safer crop production.

Glomus mosseae AND Pseudomonas fluorescens AGAINST Soybean mosaic virus UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

ARTICLE HIGLIGHTS- Glomus mosseae and Pseudomonas fluorescens enhance soybean resistance to SMV.- Ten-day drip irrigation stop at bloom stage boosts seed yield and weight.- Treatment reduces disease severity and increases P. fluorescens population.- Water-saving irrigation method improves soybean performance in dry seasons.- Combining G. mosseae and P. fluorescens increases soybean productivity. ABSTRACTSoybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] require much water, especially in the early stages of growth, flowering, and pod formation and filling. Drought stress on soybeans will increase with global climate change. The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Glomus mosseae and Pseudomonas fluorescens in inducing systemic resistance to control Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV) and the performance of soybean plants with drip irrigation in the dry season. The drip irrigation was stopped for ten days at the beginning of bloom, full bloom, beginning pod, and regular drip irrigation. The application of G. mosseae inoculants used 100 g of sterile compost mixed with 30 spores. The liquid inoculum of P. fluorescens was applied on cotyledonary leaves using the watering method. The plants were inoculated with SMV 6 and 12 days after the P. fluorescens treatment. The symptoms of SMV were recorded two weeks after inoculation, and Indirect ELISA detected the virus. The results showed the combination of G. mosseae and P. fluorescens under drip irrigation stopped at the beginning of bloom for ten days on ELISA absorbance values and disease severity of 0.259 and 3.72 %, respectively. Moreover, this treatment showed the highest values for the 100-seed weight, seed yield, and fresh weight of leaves. The technique of giving water by stopping drip irrigation at the beginning of bloom for ten days will help save water and increase the P. fluorescens population optimally in Alfisols with a pH of between 4.5 and 5.1 with incredibly low fertility. The combination of G. mosseae and P. fluorescens population resulted in a significant increase in the number of G. mosseae’s spores by stopping drip irrigation at the beginning of bloom for ten days.

Identifying dryland-resilient chickpea genotypes for autumn sowing, with a focus on multi-trait stability parameters and biochemical enzyme activity

BackgroundChickpea is a key pulse crop grown in the spring in dryland regions. The cold resistance potential of chickpeas allows for the development of genotypes with varying sowing dates to take advantage of autumn and winter rainfall, particularly in dryland regions. In this study, we assessed grain yield, plant height, 100-seed weight, days to maturity, and days to flowering of 17 chickpea genotypes in five autumn-sown dryland regions from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, the response of selected chickpea genotypes to cold stress was examined at temperatures of -4 °C, 4 °C, and 22 °C by analyzing biochemical enzymes.ResultsMixed linear model of ANOVA revealed a significant genotype × environment interaction for all traits measured, indicating varying reactions of genotypes across test environments. This study reported low estimates of broad-sense heritability for days to flowering (0.34), days to maturity (0.13), and grain yield (0.08). Plant height and seed weight exhibited the highest heritability, with genotypic selection accuracies of 0.73 and 0.92, respectively. Moreover, partial least square regression highlighted the impactful role of rainfall during all months except of October, November, and February on grain yield and its interaction with environments in autumn-planted chickpeas. Among the genotypes studied, G9, G10, and G17 emerged as superior based on stability parameters and grain yield. In particular, genotype G9 stood out as a promising genotype for dryland regions, considering both MTSI and genotype by yield*trait aproaches. The cold assay indicated that − 4 °C is crucial for distinguishing between susceptible and resistant genotypes. The results showed the important role of the enzymes CAT and GPX in contributing to the cold tolerance of genotype G9 in autumn-sown chickpeas.ConclusionsSignificant G×E for agro-morphological traits of chickpea shows prerequisite for multi-trial analysis. Chickpea`s direct root system cause that monthly rainfall during plant establishment has no critical role in its yield interaction with dryland environment. Considering the importance of agro-morphological traits and their direct and indirect effects on grain yield, the utilization of multiple-trait stability approches is propose. Evaluation of chickpea germplasm reaction against cold stress is necessary for autumn-sowing. Finally, autumn sowing of genotype FLIP 10–128 C in dryland conditions can led to significant crop performance.

RNA Sequencing Reveals Transcription Factors and Genes in Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis That Positively Regulate Size and Weight of Oak Tree Seeds

Acorn size is of great importance, both ecologically and economically. However, the long lifespan is an obstacle to improvement in breeding. Keumsura1ho is a recently bred cultivar of oak (Quercus acutissima Carruth) selected after eight years of selection due to its larger acorns and higher weight compared to the control. In the present study, we investigated the transcriptional mechanisms underlying the outstanding morphological characteristics of Keumsura1ho. For this purpose, one- and two-year-old acorns from the control and Keumsura1ho groups were used for comparative transcriptome analyses of their seeds. Among morphological characteristics, the Keumsura1ho seeds were 18.3% longer than those of the control. Seed width and depth were 33.9% greater than those of the control. In the transcriptome analysis, genes related to seed size were further enriched, with biennial Keumsura1ho showing higher enrichment in comparison to control genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the upregulated genes of the two-year-old Keumsura1ho seeds showed higher enrichment in phenylpropanoid metabolism compared to the control, with OMT1 and PRXs exhibiting high expression levels. This pathway has a significant impact on seed coat lignification and size in Keumsura1ho. The results of this study will benefit the development of breeding techniques by identifying marker genes for seed size.

Development and implementation of energy-saving technologies for growing sunflower hybrids in the south of Ukraine

The development and implementation of energy-saving technologies for growing sunflower hybrids is a relevant area of research to ensure sustainable development of the agricultural sector and environmental protection. The study aimed to analyse the impact of different tillage methods on sunflower yields in southern Ukraine. To achieve this goal, a field study was conducted in the fields of the Educational and Research Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in 2021-2023. The study determined that the method of soil cultivation has a significant impact on its density, moisture reserves and structural stability. Reducing the intensity of cultivation, especially when using no-till, preserves moisture in the soil more effectively, but increases its density. With no-till, before sowing sunflower, it was 1.11 g/cm³ at a depth of 0-10 cm and 1.21 g/cm³ before harvesting, while with conventional tillage, the soil density was 1.02 g/cm³ and 1.1 g/cm³, respectively. In addition, no-till tillage provided the best sunflower productivity indicators, including 1000-seed weight (47.3 g), basket diameter (20.2 cm) and yield (2.6 t/ha). No-till cultivation also improves the quality of the sunflower crop, increasing the content of oleic acid (86.5%) and crude fat in the seeds (48.3%). The obtained results contribute to the development of integrated approaches to the introduction of energy-saving technologies in the cultivation of sunflower hybrids in southern Ukraine, which will increase production efficiency and reduce production costs

Temperature and elevated CO2 alter soybean seed yield and quality, exhibiting transgenerational effects on seedling emergence and vigor.

Environmental conditions play a prime role in the growth and development of plant species, exerting a significant influence on their reproductive capacity. Soybean is sensitive to high temperatures during flowering and seed developmental stages. Little is known about the combined environmental effect of temperature and CO2 on seed yield and quality and its future generation. A study was conducted to examine the effect of temperature (22/14°C (low), 30/22°C (optimum), and 38/30°C (high)), and CO2 (420 ppm (ambient; aCO2) and 720 ppm (elevated; eCO2)) on seed yield, quality, and transgenerational seedling vigor traits of soybean cultivars (DS25-1 and DS31-243) using Soil-Plant-Atmospheric-Research facility. A significant temperature effect was recorded among yield and quality attributes. At high-temperature, the 100-seed weights of DS25-1 and DS31-243 declined by 40% and 24%, respectively, over the optimum temperature at aCO2. The harvest index of varieties reduced by 70% when exposed to high temperature under both aCO2 and eCO2, compared to the optimum temperature at aCO2. The seed oil (- 2%) and protein (8%) content altered when developed under high temperature under aCO2. Maximum sucrose (7.5%) and stachyose (3.8%) accumulation in seeds were observed when developed under low temperatures and eCO2. When the growing temperature increased from optimum to high, the seed oleic acids increased (63%), while linoleic and linolenic acids decreased (- 28% and - 43%, respectively). Significant temperature and CO2 effects were observed in progenies with the highest maximum seedling emergence (80%), lesser time to 50% emergence (5.5 days), and higher seedling vigor from parents grown at low-temperature treatment under eCO2. Exposure of plants to 38/30°C was detrimental to soybean seed yield, and eCO2 levels did not compensate for this yield loss. The high temperature during seed developmental stages altered the chemical composition of the seed, leading to an increased content of monounsaturated fatty acids. The findings suggest that parental stress can significantly impact the development of offspring, indicating that epigenetic regulation or memory repose may be at play.

Chromosome-scale reference genome of an ancient landrace: unveiling the genetic basis of seed weight in the food legume crop pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan).

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is a nutrient-rich and versatile food legume crop of tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we describe the de novo assembly of a high-quality genome for the ancient pigeonpea landrace 'D30', achieved through a combination of Pacific Biosciences high-fidelity (PacBio HiFi) and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing technologies. The assembled 'D30' genome has a size of 813.54Mb, with a contig N50 of 10.74Mb, a scaffold N50 of 73.07Mb, and a GC content of 35.67%. Genomic evaluation revealed that the 'D30' genome contains 99.2% of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) and achieves a 29.06 long terminal repeat (LTR) assembly index (LAI). Genome annotation indicated that 'D30' encompasses 431.37Mb of repeat elements (53.02% of the genome) and 37 977 protein-coding genes. Identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (indels), and structural variations between 'D30' and the published genome of pigeonpea cultivar 'Asha' suggests that genes affected by these variations may play important roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses. Further investigation of genomic regions under selection highlights genes enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism, with 42.11% of these genes highly expressed in seeds. Finally, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to facilitate the identification of 28 marker-trait associations for six agronomic traits of pigeonpea. Notably, we discovered a calmodulin-like protein (CcCML) that harbors a dominant haplotype associated with the 100-seed weight of pigeonpea. Our study provides a foundational resource for developing genomics-assisted breeding programs in pigeonpea.

Genetic variation for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in mungbean (Vigna radiata) genotypes.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the important abiotic stresses in mungbean which significantly reduces yield and quality of the produce. This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting in diverse mungbean genotypes while simultaneously deciphering the association of yield contributing traits with PHS. Eighty-three diverse mungbean genotypes (23 released varieties, 23 advanced breeding lines and 37 exotic germplasm lines) were investigated for tolerance to PHS, water imbibition capacities by pods, pod and seed physical traits. Wide variation in PHS was recorded which ranged between 17.8% to 81% (mean value 54.34%). Germplasm lines exhibited higher tolerance to PHS than the high-yielding released varieties. Correlation analysis revealed PHS to be positively associated with water imbibition capacity by pods (r = 0.21) and germinated pod % (r = 0.78). Pod length (r = -0.13) and seeds per pod (r = -0.13) were negatively influencing PHS. Positive associations between PHS and water imbibition capacity by pods, germinated pod % and 100-seed weight was further confirmed by multivariate analysis. Small-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight <3 g exhibited higher tolerance to PHS compared to bold-seeded genotypes having 100-seed weight more than 3.5 g. Fresh seed germination among the selected PHS tolerant and susceptible genotypes ranged from 42% (M 204) to 98% (Pusa 1131). A positive association (r = 0.79) was recorded between fresh seed germination and PHS. Genotypes M 1255, M 145, M 422, M 1421 identified as potential genetic donors against PHS could be utilized in mungbean breeding programs.

Optimal Planting Density Increases the Seed Yield by Improving Biomass Accumulation and Regulating the Canopy Structure in Rapeseed.

Planting density is an important factor affecting plant growth and yield formation in rapeseed. However, the understanding of the mechanism underlying the impact of planting density on biomass, canopy, and ultimate seed yield remains limited. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of planting density on seed yield, yield components, biomass accumulation and partitioning, and canopy structure. Five planting density levels were set as D1 (2.4 × 105 plants ha-1), D2 (3.6 × 105 plants ha-1), D3 (5.4 × 105 plants ha-1), D4 (6.0 × 105 plants ha-1), and D5 (7.2 × 105 plants ha-1). The results showed that with planting density increasing from D1 to D3, the seed yield, number of pods in population, and 1000-seed weight increased, while seedling survival rate, yield per plant, number of pods per plant, and number of seeds per plant decreased. When planting density increased to D4 and D5, seed yield dramatically decreased due to a decreased number of seeds per pod and 1000-seed weight. Increasing planting density from D1 to D3 increased biomass accumulation in all organs. D3 produced the highest biomass partitioning in seeds. In addition, D2 and D3 treatments had a high level of pod area index (5.3-5.8), which caused an approximately 93% of the light to be intercepted. The distribution of light in D2 and D3 was more evenly spread, with the upper and lower parts of the canopy displaying a distribution ratio of roughly 7:3. Therefore, D2 and D3 produced the highest seed yields. In conclusion, D2 and D3 are recommended in rapeseed production due to their role in improving biomass accumulation and partitioning and canopy structure.

Field Evaluation of the Efficacy of some Plant Oils for the Management of Aphis craccivora (Koch)

The Research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Jatropha curcas (L.) and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) for the management of Aphis craccivora (Koch) infesting cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The result indicated that, of the plant oils, 2 and 3 % concentrations of J. curcas and A. indica oil gave the highest reduction in A. craccivora population and the number of leaf curls per plant. Also, significantly (P≤0.05) longer vines, a higher number of pods and a higher of 100 seeds weight were obtained from cowpea plants with the application of J. curcas and A. indica respectively, compared with their respective control. The result also indicated that the application of 1, 2 and 3 % concentrations of A. indica oil led to an average of 8.42, 39.63, and 64.31 per cent increase in the total grain yield, respectively when compared with the control, while 1, 2 and 3 % concentrations of J. curcas oil resulted in 25.39, 47.27 and 69.66 % increases in the cowpea total grain yield, respectively when compared with the control. The application of Lambda-cyhalothrin led to a 69.74 per cent increase in grain yield. Jatropha curcas oil resulted in a higher grain yield than A. indica oil and compared favourably with that of Lambda-cyhalothrin. The results suggest that both oil extracts can be used by cowpea farmers for effective management of A. craccivora infesting cowpea.

Impact of mycorrhizal inoculants on soil microbiome during sunflower (Helianthus L.) cultivation

The article examines the results of a study on the impact of the biological preparation Mikovital, based on mycorrhizal fungi, on sunflower cultivation. The study revealed a positive effect of the preparation on the growth, development, and productivity of the plants. The application of Mikovital led to a statistically significant increase in sunflower yield from 2.31 t/ha (control) to 2.90 t/ha. Additionally, improvements were observed in the quality parameters of the seeds, including 1000-seed weight and oil content. The preparation influenced the increase in the area of active roots, which facilitated better water and nutrient absorption. During the budding phase, the area of active roots increased by 5.2 cm2, and during the flowering phase, it increased by 4.9 cm2. The increase in leaf area during the appearance of the 2nd trifoliate leaf by 0.5 dm2, in the budding phase by 1.5 dm2, and in the flowering phase by 2.1 dm2 contributed to improved photosynthetic activity and overall plant productivity. Moreover, the study noted an increase in the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, such as ammonifying bacteria and actinomycetes, as well as the emergence of new species of micromycetes, including Trichoderma and Glomus. This positively affected biodiversity, improved nutrient synthesis, and provided better nutrient supply to the plants. The enhanced microbial activity in the soil contributed to the overall health and resilience of the sunflower plants, ensuring their stability under stress conditions. Overall, the application of Mikovital proved to be effective in enhancing sunflower growth, development, and yield. It not only optimized the soil microbiome but also improved plant stability under adverse conditions, making it a valuable tool in sustainable agriculture. The study underscores the potential of biological preparations in reducing dependency on chemical inputs while maintaining high productivity and quality in sunflower cultivation.

Kernel Trait and Genetic Variability Analysis in BC2F1 Maize Lines Derived from Zea nicaraguensis Crosses

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop with significant applications in food, feed and industrial applications. This study aimed to increase maize yield and quality by evaluating core traits in introgressed Zea nicaraguensis individual’s recipients of LM13 and LM14 maize inbred lines. Kernel type, shape, color, dimensions and weight were assessed in 35 BC2F1 plants using standardized descriptor guidelines. Analysis of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic progress showed significant genetic diversity and the influence of environmental factors. Significant sources of variability highlighted by principal component analysis were kernel color, endosperm color, and 100-seed weight. High heritability and genetic progress in kernel color and length-to-width ratio indicate great selection potential. Reintroducing the diversity lost in cultivated maize inherent in Zea nicaraguensis has the potential to improve both its agronomic performance and quality. Future research should aim to identify genetic markers and examine the interaction between genetic and environmental influences to optimize maize varieties for specific environments and consumer preferences, ultimately contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability.

Potassium silica nanostructure improved growth and nutrient uptake of sorghum plants subjected to drought stress.

Recent advancements in nanotechnology present promising opportunities for enhancing crop resilience in adverse environmental conditions. In this study, we conducted a factorial experiment to investigate the influence of potassium nanosilicate (PNS) on sorghum plants exposed to varying degrees of drought stress A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed to subject the sorghum plants to different drought conditions. The three levels of stress were designated as non-stress (NS at -0.03 MPa), moderate stress (MD at -0.6 MPa), and severe stress (SD at -1.2 MPa). The plants were administered PNS at concentrations of 0 mM (control), 3.6 mM Si, and 7.2 mM Si. As drought stress intensified, we observed significant reductions in multiple plant parameters, including height, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number, stem diameter, cluster length, seed weight, and nutrient uptake, with the most pronounced effects observed under SD conditions. Interestingly, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels exhibited an increase under drought stress and PNS application, peaking at MD, alongside Si concentrations. Notably, PNS application facilitated enhanced nutrient uptake, particularly evident in the significant increase in nitrogen concentration observed at 3.6 mM PNS. Furthermore, the application of PNS significantly enhanced the fresh weight and nutrient concentrations (notably K and Si) in sorghum seeds under drought stress, despite varying statistical significance for other nutrients. These findings shed light on the mechanisms through which PNS exerts beneficial effects on plant performance under drought stress. By elucidating the complex interactions between PNS application, drought stress, and plant physiology, this study contributes significantly to the development of sustainable agricultural practices aimed at bolstering crop resilience and productivity in water-limited environments.

CARACTERIZACIÓN AGROMORFOLÓGICA Y DIVERSIDAD FENOTÍPICA DE LA COLECCIÓN DE GERMOPLASMA DE PALLAR (Phaseolus lunatus L.) DEL INIA, PERÚ

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Pallar (&lt;em&gt;Phaseolus lunatus&lt;/em&gt;) is a grain legume of great socioeconomic importance in Peru, which has been domesticated in the past by pre-Hispanic cultures. &lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; Carry out the agromorphological characterization of 36 accessions from the Pallar National Collection of the Germplasm Bank of the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (Peru). &lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; 16 qualitative characters and 10 quantitative characters were compared using descriptive analysis, ANOVA and Scott Knott test, correlation, principal components and hierarchical grouping. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; There was a positive correlation between the length of the main stem and the average number of mature pods per plant, average number of seeds per plant, average weight of seeds per plant and average weight of seeds; Likewise, a negative correlation was found between the number of locules per mature pod and the length and average weight of the seeds. &lt;strong&gt;Implications: &lt;/strong&gt;The agromorphological characterization of the pallar is necessary for the conservation of genetic resources originating in Peru. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Phenotypic variability was found among the Pallar accessions; Thus, the existence of three groups was established among the accessions in relation to quantitative characters, highlighting the high values of average number of seeds per plant, seed thickness, number of locules per mature pod, length of the main stem and average number of seeds. mature pods per plant. The promising accession was 14ac with respect to the highest average number of mature pods, average number of seeds and average weight of seeds per plant.&lt;/p&gt;

Productivity Of Various Cocoa Clones (Theobroma Cacao L.) At Different Rainfall Levels In Tettikenrarae Village, Soppeng Regency

Changes in rainfall are one of the causes of declining production in cocoa plants and cause land degradation, thus reducing national cocoa productivity. This study aims to analyze the productivity of various clones of cocoa plants at different rainfall levels so that the relationship between production levels and cocoa productivity at different rainfall levels is known. This study used the observation method. Data collection was done by random sampling in farmers' farms by determining the appropriate sample plants. The sample plants used came from three different clones, namely MCC Clone 01 (M01), MCC Clone 02 (45), and Sulawesi Clone 1 (S1) which were 13 years after planting and still productive. Rainfall data was obtained from available data at the BMKG of South Sulawesi Province. Data analysis was conducted to determine the productivity comparison of three cocoa clones at different rainfall levels. The results showed that: 1) Different rainfall levels affect the productivity of various cocoa clones in Tettikenrarae Village, Soppeng Regency. This can be seen in the parameters of number of seeds and weight of seeds, with productivity respectively for clone MCC 02 amounting to 4350.66 kg, clone S1 4326.78 kg, and clone MCC 01 with a production of 3863.29 kg. 2) Productivity of cocoa clones in Tettikenrarae Village, Soppeng Regency is best in moderate rainfall conditions, where clone MCC 02 has the highest productivity of 1820.47 kg which occurs in rainfall of 100 - 300 mm.

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) genotypes

An investigation was carried out with 101 finger millet genotypes for assessment of genetic variability and heritability in four environments during Kharif 2021. Variation due to genotypes for all the traits under study was found significant suggesting high amount of variability among different genotypes for different traits providing ample scope for selection and further evaluation as well as improvement in the seed yield and its component traits. Grain yield per plant (g) had moderate heritability estimates along with high genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean which implied that the character is controlled by genes having additive nature. High heritability combined with high genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean was noted for the characters viz., main ear head length, finger length, 1000-seed weight, protein content, calcium content, iron content and zinc content. Simple selection for such characters would be rewarding.

Foliar application of agrochemicals enhance growth, productivity, quality and biochemical traits of soybean

Flower drop, senescence of flowers and inadequate pod filling pose significant challenges in soybean cultivation as rapid nutrient extraction from leaves during the reproductive stage accelerates leaf aging. The present study assessed the effect of foliar application of agrochemicals on growth, productivity, quality and biochemical traits of soybean at two locations during kharif (rainy) season of 2021 and 2022. The experiment comprised of ten treatments of foliar application of agrochemicals [absolute control, water spray, potassium nitrate (KNO3) 1.5%, NPK (19:19:19) 1.5%, boron 0.3%, ammonium molybdate (AM) 0.5%, thiourea 750 parts per million (ppm), urea 2.0%, muriate of potash (MOP) 0.5% and salicylic acid (SA) 100 ppm] at flower and pod initiation stages along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Results revealed that foliar application of boron 0.3%, urea 2.0% and MOP 0.5% at Ludhiana and MOP 0.5%, potassium nitrate 1.5% and urea 2.0% at Ballowal Saunkhri increased growth (plant height and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of filled pods plant−1 and 100-seed weight) and seed yield. These agrochemicals showed positive effects on the biochemical parameters with increased levels of proline and total phenol content as well as improvements in total soluble sugars, starch and protein content. The findings suggest that foliar application of agrochemicals (boron 0.3%, urea 2.0%, MOP 0.5% and potassium nitrate 1.5%) along with RDF can improve soybean growth and seed yield by mitigating the nutrient stress at reproductive stages.

Effects of Sowing Dates and Phosphorus Application on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Alfalfa

Background: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally important cool-season forage grass for semiarid regions and the demand for seeds is increasing with the increase of alfalfa planting area. However, its seed yield is often low or inconsistent. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to investigate the response of seed yield and yield components of alfalfa to different sowing dates and phosphorus (P) fertilization levels from 2020 to 2022. This research was conducted using a split-plot design in a randomized complete block, with four replications. The main plots were three sowing dates (20 July, 5 and 20 August) and subplots were five different rates (0, 40, 70, 100 and 130 kg P2O5 ha-1). Result: Our results revealed that delaying the sowing dates reduced seed yield, by influencing its yield components, except for the 1000-seed weight, but P fertilization enhanced the seed yield components affected by late sowing and increased seed yield, it is recommended to apply P fertilizer at 77.6~144.8 kg ha-1. Stem density and seeds per pod were the primary factors determining seed yield and they may be useful to consider in developing traits for high-seed-yield alfalfa.

Morphological traits of fruits and seeds of Ziziphus tree species growing in different land uses in Ethiopia

The practice of gathering and utilizing Ziziphus tree fruits serves as a key strategy to enhance nutrition and livelihoods employed by rural communities across various regions worldwide. Despite a burgeoning interest in and comprehension of their significance, there remains a dearth of information concerning the morphological attributes of both fruits and seeds essential for bolstering resistance against pests and diseases through breeding efforts. In this regard, comprehensive data pertaining to fruit dimensions (length, width, weight, and maturity level) and seed characteristics (length, width, and 100-seed weight) across three distinct land use types (LUT)—farmland (FL), home garden (HG), and roadside (RS)—were systematically gathered to ascertain the variability in traits among Ziziphus tree species in the Bosset and Bati districts of Ethiopia. Significant disparities in fruit and seed morphological traits were evident among different populations inhabiting the aforementioned LUTs. Notably, the most substantial mean measurements for fruit length (16 mm), width (18 mm), and weight (28 g), as well as seed width (6 mm), were documented within the farmland setting of Bosset. The highest mean seed length (7 mm) and 100-seed weight (5 g) were observed within farmland and home garden environments in Bati. Furthermore, a significant and positive correlation was determined between fruit length and width (r = 0.78), alongside the weight of ten fruits and width (r = 0.65). Ffruit maturity levels exhibited a negative correlation with weight but not with length and width dimensions. Similarly, seed length and width demonstrated a significant correlation (r = 0.88), while 100-seed weight exhibited a modest correlation with seed dimensions. Overall, findings suggest that the Bosset district boasts superior morphological traits, thereby indicating its potential for harboring robust stands and candidate trees conducive to selection for breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance against insect pests and diseases.

Salicylic acid and iron-oxide nanoparticles improved the growth and productivity of ajowan under salt stress

Two factorial experiments with randomized complete block design in three replicates were conducted in a greenhouse at the University of Tabriz to investigate the individual and combined effects of SA and Fe2O3-NPs spray (1 mM and 3 mM, respectively) on cations contents, root and shoot growth, seed filling and yield parameters of salt-stressed ajowan plants (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS m-1 NaCl; as non-saline and low, moderate and high salinities, respectively). Salt stress enhanced Na+ contents and reduced K+ and Ca2+ contents, and K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios, leading to a reduction in root and shoot growth, particularly under high salinity. Reduction in plant growth parameters under salt stress had a negative impact on yield components and seed yield of ajowan. These deleterious impacts of salinity on plants were largely overcome by foliar treatments, particularly by SA + Fe2O3-NPs. The improvement of seed yield by these treatments was highly correlated with enhanced root and shoot growth, seeds per plant, and 1000-seed weight, especially under moderate and high salinities. Thus, the simultaneous application of SA and Fe2O3-NPs was the best foliar treatment for enhancing the growth and productivity of ajowan plants under normal and saline conditions.