Yield Increment Research Articles

Crosstalk of sucrose, potassium, and magnesium on growth, yield, and carbohydrate partitioning in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under poor light conditions

Bell pepper has received high demand due to its high nutritional value and contained antioxidant compounds. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of sucrose and some minerals on morpho-physiological characteristics, yield parameters, and carbohydrate partitioning in the bell pepper. The pot experiment was outlined hydroponically in a factorial format based on a completely randomized design. The first factor, sucrose, was sprayed in two concentrations (0 and 0.5% w/v) and the second factor, mineral nutrition, consisted of four levels (control, magnesium nitrate 0.5% w/v, potassium nitrate 0.5% w/v, magnesium nitrate 0.25% w/v + potassium nitrate 0.25% w/v). Results indicated that sucrose 5 + combined magnesium & potassium nitrate was superior in all of the biomass and yield parameters. In this combined treatment, fruit yield per plant and fruit vitamin C increased up to 44.03% and 47.71% in comparison with control. The highest leaf-soluble carbohydrate was recorded in plants treated with sucrose 5 + combined magnesium & potassium nitrate which was not significantly different from other contained sucrose treatments. The highest fruit soluble carbohydrate was observed in sucrose 5 + combined magnesium & potassium nitrate treatment as well, but its difference was not significant from sucrose 5 + potassium nitrate. The highest leaf potassium concentration was seen in three treatments that combined sucrose and minerals. The treatment of combined magnesium & potassium nitrate contributed to more leaf magnesium concentration compared with other nutrient treatments. In total, sucrose spray alongside combined magnesium & potassium nitrate led to higher carbohydrate accumulation in fruit, causing yield increment and nutritional value enhancement in bell peppers.

Genetic Gains of Grain Yield among the Maize Cultivars Released over a Century from the National Breeding Program of Zimbabwe

Monitoring genetic gain is required in crop improvement programs in order to assess the effectiveness of breeding initiatives. The periodic measurement of genetic gain will quantify the efficiency of new technologies incorporated into the program. Here, a total of 24 cultivars (20 released from Zimbabwe’s National Breeding program (ZNBP) plus 4 released by the largest and oldest private seed company in Zimbabwe, Seed Co) over the period of 1900–2016, were evaluated across 10 locations in Zimbabwe. The testing locations represented agro-ecologies where maize is optimally grown and where maize production is under threat from climate change-induced abiotic stresses, particularly drought and heat stress, in Zimbabwe. The 24 cultivars were laid out across all the locations using the alpha (0.1) lattice design replicated two times with six incomplete blocks nested in each of the replicates. The genetic gains were estimated at 61 kg ha−1 yr−1, 25 kg ha−1 yr−1, 6 kg ha−1 yr−1, and 2 kg ha−1 yr−1 under optimal, random drought stress, heat stress, and managed drought stress conditions, respectively. The results were comparable with those from other studies where newly released cultivars yielded more than old cultivars. Overall, the results demonstrated that over a century, the ZNBP has been making significant progress in yield increments in its maize genotypes.

Influence of Foliar Application of 19:19:19 and Mono-Potassium Phosphate on Growth and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Aims: Foliar application or foliar nutrition is a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer directly to their leaves. Water soluble fertilizers (19:19:19 and mono potassium phasphate) have been introduced exclusively for foliar feeding and fertilization. There is very little information about the foliar application of water soluble fertilizers. There is need for more research in this field. Therefore, foliar nutrition is being recognized as an important method of fertilization in modern agriculture. The current study aimed to study the effect of foliar application of inorganic sources of nutrients for exploiting genetic potential of the crop for supplementing the part of nutrient requirements at critical stages. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted during late kharif 2019 on sandy loam soils at College of Agriculture, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, to study the effect of foliar application of water soluble fertilizers on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design comprising of 3 replications and 13 treatment combinations consisting of three water soluble fertilizers along with package of practice (viz., 2 % DAP, 1 % 19:19:19, 2 % 19:19:19, 1 % mono-potassium phosphate, 2 % mono-potassium phosphate, 1 % 19:19:19 + 1 % mono-potassium phosphate). All water soluble fertilizers were given as foliar spray at two crop growth stages (30 and 45 DAS). Results: Foliar application of monopotassium phosphate and 19:19:19 each @ 1 per cent at 30 and 45 DAS along with package of practice recorded significantly higher plant height (56.04 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (8.46), leaf area (5.37 dm2 plant-1), total dry matter production (22.16 g plant-1), number of pods plant-1 (22.10), number of seeds plant-1 (12.65), pod length (8.92 cm), seed yield (1038.82 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1675.28 kg ha-1), thereby achieved yield increment of 25.07 per cent over package of practice and 46.85 per cent over farmers practice as compared to the other treatments. Conclusion: Foliar application of monopotassium phosphate and 19:19:19 each at 1 per cent at 30 and 45 DAS along with package of practice in late kharif found ideal for achieving higher yield potentiality in green gram.

Coupled strategy based on regulator manipulation and medium optimization empowers the biosynthetic overproduction of lincomycin

The biosynthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites, specifically antibiotics, is of great scientific and economic importance. The control of antibiotic production typically involves different processes and molecular mechanism. Despite numerous efforts to improve antibiotic yields, joint engineering strategies for combining genetic manipulation with fermentation optimization remain finite. Lincomycin A (Lin-A), a lincosamide antibiotic, is industrially fermented by Streptomyces lincolnensis. Herein, the leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp)-type regulator SLCG_4846 was confirmed to directly inhibit the lincomycin biosynthesis, whereas indirectly controlled the transcription of SLCG_2919, the first reported repressor in S. lincolnensis. Inactivation of SLCG_4846 in the high-yield S. lincolnensis LA219X (LA219XΔ4846) increases the Lin-A production and deletion of SLCG_2919 in LA219XΔ4846 exhibits superimposed yield increment. Given the effect of the double deletion on cellular primary metabolism of S. lincolnensis, Plackett-Burman design, steepest ascent and response surface methodologies were utilized and employed to optimize the seed medium of this double mutant in shake flask, and Lin-A yield using optimal seed medium was significantly increased over the control. Above strategies were performed in a 15-L fermenter. The maximal yield of Lin-A in LA219XΔ4846-2919 reached 6.56 g/L at 216 h, 55.1 % higher than that in LA219X at the parental cultivation (4.23 g/L). This study not only showcases the potential of this strategy to boost lincomycin production, but also could empower the development of high-performance actinomycetes for other antibiotics.

Co-hydrothermal carbonization with process water recirculation as a valuable strategy to enhance hydrochar recovery with high energy efficiency

This study aims at valorizing the residual aqueous phase from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of Sicilian agro-wastes in order to enhance the hydrochar recovery, positively affecting the process energy balance. Process waters (PW) obtained from HTC and co-HTC using orange peel waste and fennel plant residues were used as recycled solvent in experiments carried out at the temperatures of 180 and 230 °C. The results showed that an additional hydrochar formation was promoted during recirculation of solvent, leading to average increments of solid mass yield of 10.5 wt% for tests conducted at 180 °C and 3.9 wt% for 230 °C. After five consecutive recirculation phases in co-HTC runs, the hydrochar yield increased up to 18.2 wt%. The low H/C and O/C atomic ratios values, found after recirculation, indicate that organic acids, accumulated in the PW, may catalyze the process and promote the biomass deoxygenation by boosting dehydration and decarboxylation. The recovered PWs from conversion steps with deionized water were also carbonized in absence of the solid feedstock in order to quantify their contribution in hydrochar formation during recirculation and thus the synergistic interactions. After recirculation, energy recovery averagely augmented by more than threefold, showing that the proposed strategy could significantly improve the sustainability of HTC.

Growth and Yield Response of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Crop to Classical and Regulated Deficit Irrigation along with Nitrogen Fertilization under Drip Irrigation

Background: The conventional methods of applying water and nutrient results lot of wastage and negatively affect the soil, environment and crop response of pea. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Lovely Professional University, Punjab during two years. The five drip irrigated treatments having full irrigation, classical deficit irrigation and regulated deficit irrigation in combination same level of nitrogen fetigation @90% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) were taken in 4 replications. One control plot (having flood irrigation with soil application of nitrogen @100% RDN through broadcasting) was taken for comparison. Result: Plant growth, yield contributing parameters, pod yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were significantly affected by drip irrigation in combination with 90% RDN through fetigation over conventional method of irrigation and fertilizer application. Among all the drip irrigated treatments, the increment in crop yield, WUE and irrigation water saving varied from 27.6 to 65.7%, 63.6 to 99.7% and 26.1 to 44.6%, respectively over control plot. In case of same nitrogen fertigation level, the yield and water use efficiency of drip irrigated pea crop can be improved by adoption of moderate water deficit level (which is 15% less than full IWR) under regulated deficit irrigation approach over full irrigation approach. The findings of the work can be utilized by farm managers for irrigation planning and nitrogen management for pea crop and by policy makers to conserve available fresh water resources in water scares regions.

Conceptualization, Characterization and Establishment of Model Large Cardamom Village in Eastern Himalaya of West Bengal

The farmers’ livelihood in the Himalayan region of West Bengal mainly depends on large cardamom cultivation. However, the farmers in the region were continuously facing low yield, high disease incidence, and poor quality of large cardamom. An alternative extension approach namely ‘Model Large Cardamom Village’ was conceptualized to address these issues in Tindhurey village of Kalimpong in West Bengal. Diverse scientific technologies and practices were promoted in the adopted village from 2018 to 2022. An outcome-based impact evaluation was done in 2023 with a sample of 350 farmers. The maximum yield increment was observed in the Seremna cultivar (45.94%) followed by Bharlangey (42.86%), Ramsai (40%), and Golsey cultivar (36.67%). Similarly, the maximum increase in income was reported in the Seremna cultivar from Rs. 160000/ha. to Rs. 290000/ha. Other significant impact of Model Large Cardamom Village was increased adoption of recommended technologies, the decline in pest and disease incidence, enhanced social networking, the decline in migration of youth from the village, increased access to different production inputs and services, and starting large cardamom-based tourism. The study shows the potential of a specific and focused extension approach to address the technological gap at the regional level.

Pre-Extension Demonstration of Shiro Type Field Pea Technologies in the Highlands of Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

For improvement of field pea production, agricultural research centers have released many varieties. However, productivity of field pea is low due to insufficient demonstration of released and adapted varieties at farmers’ level. Hence, demonstration of released and improved varieties is the key approval for large scale production of field pea. Therefore, this experiment was exhibited at three highlands to estimate profitability and evaluate the yield of shiro kind field pea varieties. The Bilalo variety was demonstrated with local varieties by 12 farmers during the year 2022. Yield and costs of production were collected. The data was analyzed through cost benefit analysis and descriptive statistics. The result indicated that the Bilalo variety gave a better yield (25.92 Qt/ha) compared to the local variety (18.33 Qt/ha). Cost benefit analysis indicated that the Bilalo variety gave better returns (108672 ETB/ha) compared to the local variety (54022 ETB/ha). Farmers prefer the Bilalo variety because it provides a higher harvest, is more disease tolerant and has high market value over the local variety. The use of the improved shiro field pea variety is significant for yield increment and profit growth. Thus, the Bilalo variety should be used for shiro type field pea production in highland areas. Additional research is desirable to promote the Bilalo variety through scaling up in the highland and similar agro-ecologies of the Guji zone.

Evaluation of CGMS-based chilli F1 hybrids for morphometric, fruit quality and yield traits

Chilli is a significant vegetable cum spice crop having broader applications in the food, phytogenic feed,cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries. To meet the demand, there is a need to develop F1 hybrids withtolerance/ resistance to major threatening diseases and higher yields. The present investigation was conductedto study the diversity of morphometric, fruit quality and yield traits and their reaction to chilli leaf curl diseaseamong thirteen CGMS-based high-yielding F1 hybrids. The hybrids Arka Nihira, Arka Yashasvi, H-25, H-26, andArka Tanvi excelled for most of the traits contributing to yield enhancement. The yield increment potential inthese hybrids is attributed to high morphometric and fruit biometric. In relation to the local check (HPH-3351),hybrid Arka Nihira exhibited enhanced green fruit yield by about sixty-two per cent. The cluster plot partitionedthese hybrids into four primary groups, revealing genetic similarities and differences among the hybrids. Further,a character association study indicates that traits such as days to 50 per cent flowering, plant spread, fruitgirth, and the number of fruits per plant can be leveraged as indirect selection indices for green fruit yield whileselecting a commercial hybrid cultivar in chilli breeding programs. The hybrids, Arka Nihira and Arka Tanvi, inparticular, have the potential to be commercial cultivars in terms of yield, agronomic characteristics, and leafcurl disease tolerance in shallow basaltic soils of the Deccan plateau of Indi

Soil Properties, Crop Yield, and Economic Return in Response to Lime Application on Acidic Nitisols of Southern Highlands of Ethiopia

Soil acidity is one of the major crop production constraints in the highlands of Ethiopia. Liming is becoming a common practice to amend soil acidity, but its effects on soil properties, crop yield, and farm income are not well studied. In this study, an on-farm liming experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2020-2021) on acidic Nitisols (pH < 5.5) in Southern Ethiopia. The experiment consisted of six liming rates (control, 2.74, 4.11, 5.48, 6.85, and 8.22 t·ha−1) laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil, agronomic, and economic data were collected in 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons and analyzed. The application of lime in the ranges of 2.74–8.22 t·ha−1 increased soil pH by 0.46–1.25 units and reduced exchangeable acidity by 2.02–3.17 units. Higher lime rates of 6.85–8.22 t·ha−1 increased soil pH sharply from 5.22 to 5.99 and 6.46, respectively, but such a rise in soil pH was not proportionally reflected in the yield increment. Higher available phosphorus contents of 7.16 and 6.01 mg·kg−1 were measured at the liming rates of 4.11 and 5.48 t·ha−1, respectively. Combined over the two years, 5.45 t·ha−1 lime application yielded the highest barley total biomass of 19,199 kg·ha−1 and a grain yield of 4,328 kg·ha−1, which are 46% and 30% higher than those of the control, respectively. It also yielded the highest marginal rate of return of 477% and a gross margin of 192,857.3 ETB1·ha−1, which is 53% higher than the control. Based on our results, 5.45 t·ha−1 of lime appears to have the optimal rate for economically viable barley production in the study area or similar environments.

Effects of Bio-rational Insecticides on Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella L.) and Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) on Cabbage

Background: Cabbage is a subsistence crop for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Diamondback moths and cabbage aphids are among the devastating insects that cause yield losses of 90% and 30%. Objective: The aim was to test the efficacy of the bio-rational insecticides against diamondback moth and cabbage aphids, and their effect on cabbage yield and yield loss. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at the Gumsalasa micro dam with furrow irrigation during 2019/20 in Northern Ethiopia. Treatments were arranged in RCB design and replicated thrice. The experiment included five bio-rational insecticides; (R. obtusifolius), (P. dodecandra), (N. glauca), (T. minuta), (A. indica), Karate 5% EC (standard test), and control. Results: Phytolacca dodecandra aqueous leaf extract showed inspiring results, reducing diamondback moth larvae to 0.13 and aphid colonies to 0.16, 48 hours after the 4th spraying, leading to a higher (40.28 t ha-1) fresh cabbage yield followed by A.indica, which had reduced the invasion of diamondback moth and aphid colonies to 0.20 and 0.40 and the yield was recorded as 27.69 t ha-1 compared with 2.46 and 5.53 diamondback moth and aphid colonies, and 23.86 t ha-1 cabbage yield in the control group. Similarly, aqueous extracts of P. dodecandra showed a commendable yield (68.82%) increment over the control, and an estimated yield loss of 40.76% was recorded from the control plots due to the tested insect pests. Conclusion: This study concludes that foliar extracts of P. dodecandra can be used as an alternative management option to replace synthetic insecticides and thereby maintain food security.

Potassium and Micronutrient Fertilization for Enhancement of Tef Yield in Vertisols of Hawzen and Enderta Districts, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Field study was conducted in Enderta and Hawzen districts of Tigray region on six farmers’ fields aimed at evaluating potassium and micro-nutrient effect on yield and yield components of the tested crop. The experiment comprised of eight treatments including control and recommended NP arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications. Phosphorus fertilizers were applied at planting, while the nitrogen fertilizer was applied in two splits. The micronutrients and Typrosine were applied in foliar forms. SAS version 9 statistical software was used for data analysis. The analyzed results depicted that Tef yield was increased with potassium and micro-nutrient application in both districts mathematically even though it was not consistent. In line to this, the highest grain and straw yields of Tef was recorded at recommended NP with application of 50 kg/ha K2SO4 and recommended NP with a foliar application of Typrosine, respectively. But this result was statistically similar with the recommended NP. Thus, application of additional fertilizer without yield increment is uneconomical rather than maximizing costs. Hence, potassium, copper, and zinc in the current sources were not Tef yield limiting nutrients in the study sites even though the soil statuses are low. On the other hand nitrogen and phosphorus were observed the Tef yield limiting nutrients in this study. For this reason maximizing the use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers with detailed research on its level and their interactions, sources and application times is important to maximize the Tef productivity in the Vertisols of Enderta and Hawzen district.

Nitrite acts as the key “switch” governing the free nitrous acid pretreatment in anaerobic digestion: A comprehensive mechanism of abiotic, bioinformatics and bioenergetics effects

Free nitrous acid (FNA) pretreatment has been an effective and environmentally-friendly strategy to improve anaerobic digestion (AD) performance, and the mechanism was generally ascribed to the abiotic role of enhancing substrate solubilization. However, a comprehensive understanding of FNA is lack considering the different biotic roles on various steps, microbes and functional genes, as well as the variation of thermodynamic conditions. Herein, FNA pretreatment significantly enhanced the AD performance of food waste (FW), and the maximum increment of methane yield (36.45 %) was observed for FNA level of 1.42 mg HNO2 − N/L. Nevertheless, FNA exhibited an inhibition-to-enhancement effects as the AD process proceeds, and the introduced nitrite was the key “switch”. Initially, the abiotic effects of FNA reduced the molecular weight of components in FW, benefiting the solubilization and formation of available organics (glucose and amino acid). The individual steps experiment confirmed that residual nitrite severely inhibited methanogenesis rather than hydrolysis and acidogenesis, which resulted in the decrement of methane yield and accumulation of VFAs. Meanwhile, the methanogens (Methanothrix and Methanobacterium) and genes involved in methanogenesis metabolisms (aceticlastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways) were downregulated. However, with the elimination of nitrite, the microbial activities and gene expressions restored and were even enhanced, and Gibbs-energy-based analysis suggested that accumulated VFAs provided favorable thermodynamic conditions for subsequent methanogenesis. This study firstly proved that the abiotic breakdown of macromolecule components, selective and reversible inhibition on microbes and functional genes induced by nitrite and varying thermodynamic conditions together governed the FNA affecting the AD process of FW.

Effect of Foliar Application of some Macro and Micronutrients on the Growth and Yield of Maize

Abstract: Maize is the most cultivated cereal crop in Ghana and plays a significant role in consumer diets. An ideal way of improving yield is through the use of balanced macro and micronutrient doses. Fertilizers supplied through soils are subjected to leaching, fixation, surface runoff, erosion, volatilization, extremely high or low pH render nutrients unabsorbable by plants. Foliar application of fertilizer supplies nutrients directly to the stomata and cuticle of the leaves which saves time and increases yield as proposed by crop physiologist. The experiment was designed as a multi-location study comprising eight treatments. These treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of University for Development Studies, Nyankpala (9° 24’ 39’’ N, 0° 59’ 2’’ W 170 m) and Kpaliga (9° 26’ 44’’ N, 0° 57’ 58’’ W 170 m) in the Northern region of Ghana. Application of nitrogen in a split form has the ability to broaden the leaf surface area to receive the foliar applied micronutrients. However, increasing nitrogen at basal application and reducing it at top dressing (NP2K treatments) stands a better chance of broadening the leaf surface area. The general progression of leaf area index could be attributed to the adequate supply of macronutrients. NP2K+[P+Zn+Fe] produced the highest grain yield. There was significant difference between foliar zinc and control (NP2K). Maize plants responded to foliar application of phosphorus, zinc and iron, but not in terms of yield differences. It will be needful to repeat this experiment since the drought affected the response of maize to foliar applied fertilizer to yield. Socio economic analysis should be done to show whether the increment in grain yield will compensate for the cost of application of foliar fertilizer.

Applying current-carrying-coil-based magnetic field (CCC-MF) to promote anaerobic digestion of chicken manure: Performance evaluation, mitigation of ammonia inhibition, microbial community analysis, and pilot-scale validation

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a current-carrying-coil-based magnetic field (CCC-MF) placed outside the digester in promoting anaerobic digestion (AD) of chicken manure through digester performance evaluation, microbial community analysis, and pilot-scale experiments. With the applied CCC-MF, a magnetic field of 1.12–3.54 mT was generated in the anaerobic digester, and a 40% average methane yield increment was obtained from the AD of chicken manure. AD experiments showed that CCC-MF increased the average CH4 percentage by 18.7% and decreased the average CO2 percentage by 22.9%. The ammonia nitrogen concentration was decreased by 10.4–64.9% due to CCC-MF, indicating that CCC-MF was beneficial to the mitigation of ammonia inhibition. The activities of acetate kinase and F420 were increased by 21.9% and 30% due to CCC-MF. Microbial community analysis indicated that the dominant bacterial phyla were Thermotogae, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes while the dominant methanogenic archaeal genera were Methanoculleus, Methanosarcina, Methanothrix, Methanomassiliicoccus, Methanolinea, and Methanospirillum. Due to CCC-MF, the electrotrophic methanogenic genus Methanothrix and ammonia-tolerant methanogen genus Methanosarcina were enriched by 2.1-fold and 1.6-fold, respectively. The KEGG analysis of metabolic pathways showed that many key metabolic pathways were enhanced 9–20 times due to CCC-MF. Furthermore, the results of pilot-scale validation experiments confirmed the technical effectiveness of the CCC-MF assistance in enhancing AD of chicken manure. This study provides a novel and promising strategy by placing a current-carrying coil outside the AD system for enhancing methane production from AD of animal manure and reveals the enhancing mechanisms of the technology.

Crop yield increments will enhance soil carbon sequestration in coastal arable lands by 2100

Coastal lands are crucial arable land reserves that play a vital role in ensuring future global food security. In arable coastal lands, low soil quality often results in limited crop yield and soil organic carbon (SOC), making them promising sites for enhancing both soil carbon sequestration and agricultural production. However, a scarcity of long-term site experiments has led to a research gap regarding SOC sequestration in coastal arable lands, leaving potential uncertainties due to variations in planting systems, crop yields, and the influence of climate change. In this study, we focused on the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China, which is a typical coastal agricultural area. We verified the adaptability of the Denitrifcation-Decomposition (DNDC) model in coastal farmlands based on an 11-year long-term observation experiment and continuous sampling survey data. We further explored the spatiotemporal changes of regional SOC stocks under two Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios based on five Global Climate Models (GCMs) derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), along with three yield increase scenarios from 2020 to 2100. The results indicated that promoting single-cotton cultivation in coastal saline–alkali lands would result in at least 88.2% of farmland being converted into carbon sinks. In contrast, promoting the cultivation of a wheat–maize rotation system can promote regional SOC sequestration as a whole, with a maximum increase of 31.90 Mg C ha−1. By 2100, the SOC stocks decreased in cotton and wheat–maize rotation farmland by 3.9% and 11.6%, respectively, in the SSP585 scenario compared with that in the SSP126 scenario. Except for farmlands with wheat-maize rotation cropping system under the SSP126 scenario, the SOC stocks in all other scenarios are projected to reach their theoretical maximum values before 2050. Additionally, when reaching the North China Plain (S1) and national (S2) high-yield levels of farmland, the SOC stocks in cotton farmland by 2100 increased by 16.7% and 21.6%, respectively, whereas the SOC stocks in wheat-maize farmland increased by 1.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Our study revealed the mutually beneficial relationship between yield increment and SOC sequestration in coastal farmlands under climate change, as well as the potential for future SOC sequestration. We provided scientific support for land management and climate change mitigation strategic decision-making in coastal saline–alkali farmlands.

Sowing productivity and grain quality of winter triticale with the use of biological preparations

The article highlights the experimental results of research on the influence of pre-sowing seeds and crops treatment with biological preparations of fungicidal properties on crop productivity formation and the quality of winter triticale grain. The analysis of yield and quality of winter triticale grain showed that they changed depending on the type and methods of application of the researched preparations and weather conditions during the years of research. In 2021 when seeds were bacterised with «Melanoriz» and «Biozlak», there was a tendency to increase the yield level compared to the control by 0.4 and 0.3 t/ha respectively. Grain yield increment of 0.3–0.7 t/ha was obtained with the application of «Baktofit» biofungicide at the norms of 2.0–3.0 l/ha. A noticeable increase in yield occurred when spraying crops by «Baktofit» on the background of seed bacteriization with microbial preparations. In particular, for application 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 l/ha of biofungicide on the background of seed treatment by «Biozlak» the yield increased by 0.9, 1.2 and 1.4 t/ha, on the background of seed treatment by «Melanoriz» – on 1.0, 1.3 and 1.7 t/ha according to the «Baktofit» norms. The dependence of winter triticale yield formation on the type and methods of application of the studied preparations was also observed in 2022 and 2023. However, in these years it slightly decreased, which was due to weather conditions and the active development of pathogenic microbiota in the sowings. The studied preparations had a significant impact on the formation of winter triticale grain quality indicators, especially when used in combination (seed treatment and application during the growing season). In particular, the highest weight of 1000 grains (by 1.5–2.2 g more than the control) and grain weight (by 31.4–39.8 g/l more than the control) were formed by the application of «Baktofit» against the background of seed bacterisation with «Melanoriz». The highest content of protein and starch in winter triticale grain was noted for spraying crops with «Baktofit» on the background of pre-sowing seed bacteriization with «Melanoriz», which exceeded the control by 0.6–1.5 % and 6.4–7.1 % respectively. Key words: productivity, grain quality, biological preparations, «Melanoriz», «Biozlak», «Baktofit», winter triticale.

Promising physiological traits associated with nitrogen use efficiency in rice under reduced N application.

Higher grain yield in high-yielding rice varieties is mostly driven by nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied in abundant amounts leading to increased production cost and environmental pollution. This has fueled the studies on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to decrease the N fertilizer application in rice to the possible extent. NUE is a complex physiological trait controlled by multiple genes, but yet to be completely deciphered in rice. With an objective of identifying the promising physiological traits associated with NUE in rice, the performance of 14 rice genotypes was assessed at N0, N50, N100, and N150 for four (two wet and two dry) seasons using agro-morphological, grain yield, flag leaf traits, photosynthetic pigment content, flag leaf gas exchange traits, and chlorophyll fluorescence traits. Furthermore, the data were used to derive various NUE indices to identify the most appropriate indices useful to screen rice genotypes at N50. Results indicate that with the increase in N application, cumulative grain yield increased significantly up to N100 (5.02t ha-1); however, the increment in grain yield was marginal at N150 (5.09t ha-1). The mean reduction of grain yield was only 26.66% at N50 ranging from 15.0% to 34.2%. The significant finding of the study is the identification of flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence traits (Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, ETR, and qP) and Ci associated with grain yield under N50, which can be used to screen N use efficient genotypes in rice under reduced N application. Out of nine NUE indices assessed, NUpE, NUtE, and NUEyield were able to delineate the high-yielding genotypes at N50 and were useful to screen rice under reduced N conditions. Birupa emerged as one of the high yielders under N50, even though it is a moderate yielder at N100 and infers the possibility of cultivating some of the released rice varieties under reduced N inputs. The study indicates the possibility of the existence of promising genetic variability for grain yield under reduced N, the potential of flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, and gas exchange traits as physiological markers and best suitable NUE indices to be deployed in rice breeding programs.

RESPONSE OF COTTON CULTIVARS TO SOIL AND FOLIAR APPLIED FERTILIZER IN KABBA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The experiment was carried out at Kabba College of Agriculture experimental field in 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons to evaluate response of cotton cultivars to soil and foliar applied fertilizer. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with two factors arranged in split plot arrangement in three replications. The first experimental factor was a cultivar, include two cotton varieties Hybrid and Lokoja local (abbreviated as C1 and C2) were used. The second experimental factor was the different nitrogen sources applied at five levels, NS1 = No Nitrogen source (control), NS2 = NPK (20:10:10 plus boron) fertilizer applied into soil alone = 80kg NPK & B, NS3 = NPK & B at 50% (40kg N) + Agric Zyme 50% (40 kg N), NS4 = NPK & B at 75% (60kg N) + Agric Zyme at 25% (20kg N) and NS5 = NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at (60kg N). Data were collected on growth characters such as plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area fresh and dry weight of cotton. Yield characters observed were number of flowers per plant, cotton ball per plant, cotton yield per plant and cotton lint yield. All plots with NPK&B and Agric Zyme produce better growth and yield characters than the control. All plots with NPK&B alone or in combination with Agric Zyme at reduced level produced similar growth characters. Cotton with fertilizer application either singly or combined produced higher number of flowers and cotton balls compared to the control. Cotton grows through hybrid seeds gave more flowers and cotton balls more than Lokoja local seeds used. Cotton with fertilizer application were susceptible to pest attacked compared to cotton grow in the control plots. Cotton grows with the use of hybrid seed gave higher number of aborted flowers than the Lokoja local seed used. Though, cotton plant grows with NPK&B at 80 kg /ha gave the highest yield of cotton. All other plots with combined application of NPK&B and Agric Zyme produced yield comparable to plots with NPK&B at 80 kg /ha. Among cotton with combined application of NPK&B and Agric Zyme, plots treated with NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at 75% (60kg N) gave the greatest yield. Cotton with hybrid seed produced cotton yield higher than the Lokoja local seed. The increment in hybrid cotton yield over Lokoja local seed is 58.52%. Cotton farmers in the study area should grow hybrid cotton using any of the treatment combinations especially NPK & B at 25% (20kg N) + Agric Zyme at 75% (60kg N).

Tillage and Crop Residue Management on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Direct Seeded Rice

A field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the effect of tillage and residue management on weed dynamics and productivity of direct seeded rice with four tillage systems; Conventional tillage in rice and wheat, Zero tillage in rice and wheat and two rotational tillage sequences that alternated between Conventional tillage and Zero tillage whereas four residue management practices; residue applied in both season, residue applied in kharif season only, residue applied in rabi season only and without residue in both season. The experiment was carried out at research farm of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Results revealed that in direct seeded rice having highest grain yield (10%), straw yield (8%) and yield attributes (10-15%) as well as lesser weed density and weed dry matter found under Conventional tillage during both the seasons of experiment but performance of zero tillage was slightly better (3-4%) in second year as compared to all treatments. Whereas surface retention of residue @5 tonne/ha was significantly more effective in controlling different category of weeds, it decreased up to 60-75% weed population, resulting increment in grain yield up to 19% and 23% during first and second year, respectively, as compared to plot receiving no residue.