Maximum Wheat Yield Research Articles

Liming improves wheat nutrient use efficiency, yield, and quality on acid soils in Ethiopia

Soil acidity is a major constraint for food production in the Highlands of Ethiopia, the main cereal growing area. We conducted two field trials in nutrient-poor, acidic fields in the Highlands of Ethiopia to evaluate the effects of dolomitic lime at rates of 0, 6 and 12 t ha−1 on the utilization of commonly used phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Blended fertilizer (at a liming rate of 12 t ha−1), containing potassium (K), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) were also evaluated. The liming rate of 12 t ha−1 improved the utilization of P fertilizer most and only 20 kg P ha−1 was needed to reach 90% of the maximum wheat yield in soils with a high P sorption capacity. Liming and P fertilization, increased the N use efficiency from 0 to 30%, whereas the P use efficiency increased from 3 to 25%. Liming also increased the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), molybdenum (Mo) and Zn and retained the concentration of copper (Cu) in wheat grain at a higher level than in unlimed treatments. This indicates that even high liming rates did not depress the utilization of nutrients from fertilizers, lime or soil. Regarding harmful heavy metals, liming reduced the nickel (Ni) concentration in wheat to about half of that in unlimed treatments. This study demonstrated how liming was a prerequisite for improving the quantity and quality of wheat growing in the acidic soils of the Ethiopian Highlands.

Optimal N management affects the fate of urea-15N and improves N uptake and utilization of wheat in different rotation systems.

Rice-wheat and maize-wheat rotations are major cropping systems in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River in China, where high nitrogen (N) inputs and low N efficiency often exacerbate resource waste and environmental pollution. Due to the changes in factors such as soil properties and moisture content, the N fate and the N utilization characteristics of wheat in different rotations are significantly different. Efficient N management strategies are thus urgently required for promoting maximum wheat yield in different rotation systems while reducing N loss. A 2-year field experiment using isotopic (15N) tracer technique was conducted to evaluate the fate of 15N-labeled urea in wheat fields and the distribution characteristics of N derived from different sources. The wheat yield and N use efficiency under various N rates (180 and 240 kg ha-1, abbreviated as N180 and N240) and preceding crops (rice and maize, abbreviated as R-wheat and M-wheat) were also investigated. The results showed that N240 increased N uptake and grain yield by only 8.77-14.97% and 2.51-4.49% compared with N 180, but decreased N agronomic efficiency (NAE) and N physiological efficiency (NPE) by 14.78-18.79% and 14.06-31.35%. N240 also decreased N recovery in plants by 2.8% on average compared with N180, and increased N residue in soil and N loss to the environment. Compared with that of basal N, the higher proportion of topdressing N was absorbed by wheat rather than lost to the environment. In addition, the accumulation of topdressing N in grain was much higher than that of basal N. Compared with that in R-wheat treatment, plants in M-wheat treatment trended to absorb more 15N and reduce unaccounted N loss, resulting in higher yield potential. Moreover, the M-wheat treatment increased N recovery in 0-20 cm soil but decreased 80-100 cm soil compared with R-wheat treatment, indicating a lower risk of N loss in deeper soil. Collectively, reducing N application rate and increasing the topdressing ratio is an effective way to balance sustainable crop yield for a secure food supply and environmental benefit, which is more urgent in rice-wheat rotation.

Field Test of Cyanobacteria as Biofertilizer for the Cultivation of Triticum Aestivum (Wheat) Plant

Wheat is rich in carbohydrates, Protein and essential Vitamins and Minerals such Vitamins B and E, Calcium and Iron, as well as fiber. Wheat is an important cereal crop in achieving global Food security. It is cultivated worldwide and is second highest in production. Wheat production is affected mainly by biotic and abiotic stresses all over the world. Maximum yield of wheat can be attained over balanced consumption of all plant nutrient resources. In recent past due to increased cost of chemical fertilizer and with moto of tumbling environmental pollution, creation of amplified awareness on the use of organic sources with bio-fertilizers which are the sources of macro, micro and secondary nutrients to endure both the soil fertility and productivity. The combined nutrient supply contemplates to collective use of inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrient and bio-fertilizers for crop productivity apart from keeping up inspiring soil health. Since past few years, bio-fertilizers like Azotobacter, PSB, (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria). Azospirillum and liquid bio-fertilizers have shown fabulous potential to improve yield of wheat as these are eco-friendly and low-cost agriculture inputs. Managing Nitrogen inputs in wheat production systems is a significant issue in order to attain maximum profitable production, and minimum negative environmental influence. Wheat production can be enhanced to two to three fold by implementing the cyanobacteria based bio fertilizer. Current study indicates a boost in crop growth, height, thickness of stem, increase in number of grain pods and quantity.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of nanoparticles of clodinofop propargyl and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl on weed control, growth, and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract Nanoherbicides are articulated by exploiting the prospective of nanotechnology for effectively delivering chemical and biological herbicides using nanomaterial‐based herbicide combinations. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction and FT-IR. On the targeted weeds, the nanoherbicides were sprayed at the third to fourth leaf stage. Six different doses were applied. The mortality and visual injury caused by both chitosan-based nanoherbicides reached 100% at the recommended dose of standard herbicide. The 5-fold lower dose exhibited weed density and maximum wheat yield and related parameters. For the same traits, the nanoherbicide at 10-fold lower dose of commercial herbicides showed a comparable influence as the suggested dose. The size of both herbicides was found to be 35–65 nm. It was observed that the clodinofop-propargyl nanoherbicide has an intense peak appearing at a 2θ value of 29.83°, corresponding to the (176) plane of the anatase phase and NPs of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl showed an intense peak around the 2θ value of 30.55° corresponding to the (74) plane of the anatase phase. The FT-IR spectra of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl clearly showed that the major functional groups were located in the FT-IR region between 610 and 1,840 cm−1 and the major functional ones of clodinofop propargyl were located in the FT-IR region between 640 and 1,740 cm−1. Nanoherbicides could restore the efficacy of conventional herbicides by improving stability and reducing toxicity.

Reclaimed Salt-Affected Soils Can Effectively Contribute to Carbon Sequestration and Food Grain Production: Evidence from Pakistan

Salt-affected soil reclamation provides opportunities for crop production and carbon sequestration. In arid regions such as Pakistan, limited studies have been reported involving soil reclamation and crop production under wheat–maize rotation, but no study has reported predictions on long-term carbon sequestration in reclaimed soils for the treatments used in this study. Thus, a field-scale fallow period and crop production experiment was conducted for wheat–maize rotation on salt-affected soils in Pakistan for 3 years to check the effectiveness of organic amendments for reclamation of the salt-affected soils, carbon sequestration and food grain production. Treatments used were the control (with no additional amendments to reduce salinity), gypsum alone and gypsum in combination with different organic amendments (poultry manure, green manure, and farmyard manure). The treatment with gypsum in combination with farmyard manure was most effective at increasing soil carbon (+169% over the three-year period of the trial). The maximum wheat yield was also recorded in year 3 with gypsum in combination with farmyard manure (51%), while the effect of green manure combined with gypsum also showed a significant increase in maize yield in year 3 (49%). Long-term simulations suggested that the treatments would all have a significant impact on carbon sequestration, with soil C increasing at a steady rate from 0.53% in the control to 0.86% with gypsum alone, 1.25% with added poultry manure, 1.69% with green manure and 2.29% with farmyard manure. It is concluded that food crops can be produced from freshly reclaimed salt-affected soils, and this can have added long-term benefits of carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

Response of three cereal crops in continuous arable or ley‐arable rotations to fertilizer nitrogen and soil nitrogen at Rothamsted's Woburn Ley‐arable experiment

AbstractRothamsted's Woburn Ley‐arable experiment, started in 1938 on a sandy loam soil, provides valuable real‐world data on the effects of all‐arable and ley‐arable rotations. In this study, six rotations were compared from 1973 to 2001. Two had 3‐year arable “treatment” crops, two had 3‐year leys, and two had 8‐year leys; the leys being all‐grass given fertilizer nitrogen (Ln3 and Ln8), or grass/clover (Lc3 and Lc8). Here, we present the yields of two test crops, winter wheat (1981–2000) followed by spring barley (1982–1991) or winter rye (1997–2001) in each of the six rotations, and their response to four rates of fertilizer N and soil N. From fitted yield/N response curves, we show that maximum wheat yields were least (7.10 t ha−1) in the AB rotation, slightly higher, but not significantly so (7.65 t ha−1) following Ln leys but significantly higher (8.12 t ha−1) following Lc leys. Significantly less fertilizer N (30 kg ha−1) was needed to achieve the higher yields following Lc leys. Yields of the second cereal following the leys were 0.3–0.8 t ha−1 higher than those in the AB rotation; these increases were not statistically significant. However, significantly less fertilizer N, 26–38 kg N ha−1, was required to achieve those yields. There was no difference found between the type of ley. The initial benefit of the Lc leys was short‐lived. If leys are to be introduced into mainly arable farming systems, they may need to be subsidized to make them financially viable.

Effect of Nitrogen in Combination with Different Levels of Sulfur on Wheat Growth and Yield.

As macronutrients, management of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) is prime in importance when wheat is cultivated. Both have a significant impact on the improvement of growth and yield attributes. In addition, S and N also play an imperative role in the enhancement of seed protein contents. However, the need of the time is the selection of their optimum application rate for the achievement of maximum wheat productivity. That is why the current study was planned to examine the impact of variable application rates of S and N on wheat. There are 12 treatments, i.e., control (no nitrogen (0N) + no sulfur (0S)), 40 kg/ha N (40N + 0S), 80 kg/ha N (80N + 0S), 120 kg/ha N (120N + 0S), 30 kg/ha sulfur (30S), 40N + 30S, 80N + 30S, 120N + 30S, 60 kg/ha sulfur (60S), 40N + 60S, 80N + 60S, and 120N + 60S, applied in three replications. The results showed that plant height, grains/spike, spike/m2, and 1000 grain weight were significantly improved by the addition of 120N + 60S. A significant enhancement of grain N contents, N uptake, and protein contents of wheat validated the efficient role of 120N + 60S over 0N and 0S. In conclusion, 120N + 60S is a better treatment for the achievement of maximum wheat yield. More investigations under variable soil textures and climatic conditions are suggested under different climates to declare 120N + 60S as the best amendment for wheat growth and yield improvement.

Effects of Farmyard Manure and Different Phosphorus Inorganic Fertilizer Application Rates on Wheat Cultivation in Phosphorus-Deficient Soil

Less phosphorus (P) availability in calcareous alkaline soils is one of the major problems in achieving an optimum crop yield. Its deficiency in plants adversely affects growth and yield attributes. To overcome this issue, growers incorporate inorganic P fertilizers. However, the need for time in the sustainable management of soil fertility in terms of P. Farmyard manure (FYM) application is one of the most popular organic amendments in this regard. Thus, the current study was conducted to explore the best application rate of FYM in combination with inorganic P fertilizer single super phosphate (SSP). There were six treatments i.e., control (0F), 100%SSP (100P), 25% FYM and 75% SSP (25F+75P), 50% FYM and 50% SSP (50F+50P), 75% FYM and 25% SSP (75F+25P), and 100% FYM (100F+0P), applied in three replications. The design of the experiment was a randomized complete block design. For assessment of treatment response, two wheat cultivars (V1 = Pirsabak and V2 = Atta Habib) were used. Results showed that the application of 50F+50P significantly improved the plant height (20.69 and 32.01%), spike/m2 (35.19 and 30.10%), grain (41.10 and 38.16%), and leaf P (49.82 and 71.32%) compared to control in V1 and V2, respectively. A significant improvement in the grain and the biological yield of wheat V2 also validated the efficacious functioning of 50F+50P over control. In conclusion, 50F+50P has the potential to enhance wheat growth and nutrient concentration over control. More investigations are required for a more precise and balanced synchronization of FYM and SSP for the achievement of maximum wheat yield.

Modeling of Phosphorus Nutrition to Obtain Maximum Yield, High P Use Efficiency and Low P-Loss Risk for Wheat Grown in Sandy Calcareous Soils

Fertilization with high levels of phosphorus increases the risk of environmental pollution. Identification of critical values of P in soil (SOP) and in plant tissues (PiP) is essential for achieving the maximum wheat yield without P loss. The critical value is the value of P which gives the optimum yield; the response of crop yield to P fertilization above this value is not predictable or nil. Here, a 4-year field experiment was conducted to identify the SOP and PiP for achieving maximum yield of bread wheat using 11 rates of P fertilization (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, and 150 kg P2O5 ha−1). The linear–linear and Mitscherlich exponential models were employed to estimate the PiP and SOP. The degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) was used to assess the potential environmental risk; furthermore, phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) was also calculated under the studied fertilization levels. Phosphorus in soil and wheat plant was affected by the application rates and growing seasons. Increasing P fertilization rates led to gradual increases in soil and plant P. The SOP ranged between 21 and 32 mg kg−1, while the PiP ranged between 6.40 and 7.49 g kg−1. The critical values of P calculated from the Mitscherlich exponential models were 20% higher than those calculated from the linear–linear models. Adding levels of P fertilization ≥90 kg P2O5 ha−1 leads to higher potentials of P runoff and leaching, in addition, PUE decreased sharply under high P fertilization levels. The response of wheat yield to P fertilization in sandy calcareous soil is predictable below Olsen P values of 21 mg kg−1. Identification of critical P values for wheat production is of great importance to help policy makers improve P use efficiency and attain optimum wheat yield under eco-friendly environmental conditions by eliminating the accumulation of excess P fertilizers in soil and water.

Technical efficiency of tank mixtures of herbicides in crops of winter wheat after non–steam predecessors in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Goal. To establish the biological effectiveness of herbicides and their tank mixtures for the protection of winter wheat crops from weeds in the Steppe of Ukraine.
 Methods. General scientific, the main of which were: field; measuring and weighing; variance and correlation. The Institute of Grain Crops (IGC) of NAAS of Ukraine studied the biological effectiveness of herbicides against the background of non–steam precursors (stubble, oats, sunflower), the experimental scheme included 17 options for the use of drugs and their tank mixtures.
 Results. It is proved that the complete and 100% control of weeds is provided by the tank mixture of herbicide Dialin super — 0.8 l/ ha in combination with the growth regulator Gulliver stimulus — 500 ml/ ha, 21.1 pieces/ m² of weeds are destroyed here, with of which 16.8 pieces/ m² were root–sprout perennials (field birch (Convolvulus arvensis L.), pink field thistle (Cirsium arvense L.), Tatar milkweed (Lactuca tatarica L.)). The maximum grain yields were provided by the plots where the tank mixture of dialen super — 0.8 l/ ha + PPP Gulliver stimulus — 1.0 l/ ha — 6.4 t/ ha was applied; Dialin super — 0.8 l/ ha + PPP Gulliver stimulus — 1.5 l/ ha — 6.1 t/ ha and Dialin super — 0.8 l/ ha + PPP Peram — 200 ml/ ha — 6.0 t/ ha, this can be explained mainly by the low level of weediness of the field after treatment with drugs, namely the low biomass of weeds 1.0—3.1 g/ m² while in the control and application of growth regulators they were significantly greater and were 59.6 and 20.7 g/ m², respectively.
 Conclusions. Complete and 100% control of weeds provides a tank mixture of herbicide Dialin super — 0.8 l/ ha in combination with the growth regulator Gulliver stimulus — 1.0 l/ ha resulting in a maximum wheat yield — 6.4 t/ ha and quality indicators grains.

Allometric relationship and yield formation in response to planting density under ridge-furrow plastic mulching in rainfed wheat

Allometric relationships in plants have received a wide interest, but it is little used to interpret yield formation and the relationship between individual fitness and population yield (i.e. grain yield per unit area) in crops. For this purpose, we conducted a density-dependent yield-formation experiment in field-grown wheat with flat-planting (CK) and ridge-furrow with plastic-film mulch (RFM). The results indicated that increased population densities (i.e. seed rates of 60, 140, 220, 300, 380 and 460 kg ha−1) decreased the reproductive allocation at the individual level under both farming systems, but the maximum wheat yield was observed at medium densities (300−380 kg ha−1). While there exists a selective conflict between individual survival and population yield, our experiments in dryland wheat showed that a moderate reproductive allocation at the level of the individual achieved better yield performance at the population level. However, the principal component analyses (PCA) showed that optimal individual and population performances were achieved synchronously at 220 kg ha−1 under RFM treatment. We employed the law of constant final yield (CFY) to interpret the biomass-density relationships in the two farming systems. While the population grain yield started to decline from the peak values at medium density, total biomass continued to increase with density and then leveled off at 300, 380 and 460 kg ha−1. Critically, the decrease in yield occurred at higher plant densities in the RFM system. Allometric relationships further showed that the RFM treatment led to significantly higher reproductive allocation than the CK treatment at the individual plant level. This is the first report supporting that the theory that reproductive allometry can be applied to interpret the tradeoff between population productivity and individual performance, and the mechanisms of yield-improvement of the RFM system.

Agronomic zinc biofortification of wheat to improve accumulation, bioavailability, productivity and use efficiency

Zinc (Zn) deficiency causes low crop production and malnutrition in human. Agronomic biofortification of food crops can resolve the issues of global food security and human nutrition on sustainable basis. Field experiments were conducted to improve Zn bioavailability, growth and yield of wheat in response to varying Zn application rates for two consecutive years (2016-17 & 2017-18). Significant increase in grain yield was recorded with the application of Zn. Highest grain yield (5.41 t ha-1) was recorded with the application of 5.00 kg Zn ha -1. Human available Zn fraction was also improved in response to Zn application. Zn application resulted in lowering phytate/Zn molar ration in wheat grains. Higher Zn accumulation (338.72 g ha-1) was observed by applying 7.5 kg Zn ha-1. Zinc application was found critical to meet internal (36.53 µg g-1) and external (4.48 kg Zn ha-1) Zn requirements to achieve near maximum yield of wheat. The results reinforced the concept of Zn fertilization to achieve better productivity and quality.

ASSESSMENT OF COMBINED EFFECT OF HUMAN FECES COMPOST AND SINGLE SUPERPHOSPHATE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF WHEAT PRODUCTION

Application of organic fertilizers in improving soil fertility has become a major factor that has enabled the world to feed billions of people. However, the required quantities of organic material are enormous, so it becomes necessary to combine different types of fertilizers to feed plants. The effectiveness of human feces compost (HC) alone, as well as in combination with single super phosphate (SSP), was evaluated in the present study. A field experiment was conducted at farmer field located in district Swabi (Pakistan). A total of eight possible treatments combination were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. Two levels of human feces compost (HC), including control (HC0: control and HC1: 7.5 t ha-1) and four levels of P, as single superphosphate (SSP), including control (P0: control, P1:40 kg ha-1, P2: 60 kg ha-1 and P3: 90 kg ha-1) were utilized in the experiment. Results revealed that among all the treatments, combined application of SSP at 60 kg ha-1 along with 7.5t ha-1 HC significantly improved the growth, as well as the yield parameters of wheat crop. These results allow saving a half of usually made mineral fertilizer dose for the cultivation of wheat crop. Combined use of HC and SSP were strongly recommended for obtaining maximum wheat yield in the prevailing soil and environmental conditions.

Productivity and water use efficiency of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by irrigation schedule, mulching and hydrogel in eastern Indo-Gangetic plains of India

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of limited and adequate irrigation and moisture conservation practices (rice straw mulch and hydrogel) on yield and water use efficiency in wheat. Though, maximum wheat yield (3.92 t/ha) and water use efficiency (15.72 kg/ha/mm) was recorded with four irrigations at crown root initiation stage, tillering, late jointing, and milk stage, two irrigations applied at tillering and flowering and soil mix drilling of 7.5 kg/ha hydrogel (a synthetic polymer) at sowing produced comparable yield (3.34 t/ha) with less water use, enhancing the water use efficiency (15.45 kg/ha-mm). The higher net return and B : C ratio were found in the treatment 2.5 kg/ha hydrogel. Thus, from present study it may be concluded that under limited irrigation conditions, water conservation practices like soil mix drilling of hydrogel and rice-straw mulching are beneficial for maintaining optimum moisture in soil to enhance wheat yield and water use efficiency.

Effect of long-term fertilization on wheat yield under different precipitation patterns.

Rational application of nitrogen and phosphorus is one of the main pathways to enhance wheat yield. The optimum dosage of nitrogen and phosphorus used in different precipitation patterns was studied using the binary quadratic regression equation, which could provide a basis for fertilization of wheat in Loess Plateau. The results showed that the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus ferti-lizer required for the maximum yield was dependent on precipitation patterns. The maximum wheat yield in normal years was 4229 kg·hm-2, with the dosage of nitrogen and phosphorus applied being 172 and 164 kg·hm-2, respectively. The maximum wheat yield in wet years was 4896 kg·hm-2, with the dosage of nitrogen fertilizer being 2% more than that in normal years, 175 kg·hm-2, and the dosage of phosphorus was about 1% less than that in normal years, 162 kg·hm-2. The application of nitrogen and phosphorus in dry years was about 16% and 5% less than that in normal years. When the dosage was more than that, wheat yield began to decline. The economic optimum fertilization differed in different precipitation patterns. The economic optimum nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in normal years was 161 and 151 kg·hm-2, while in dry years it was 135, 143 kg·hm-2, respectively. The economic optimum fertilization in wet years was about 3% and 1% more than that in normal years, 167 and 153 kg·hm-2. The economic optimum fertilization was 6%-8% lower than optimum amount of fertilization. In actual production, it was recommended to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus by 10% in order to improve the utilization rate of fertilizer and get the maximum benefit.

Use of Adjuvants to Optimize the Activity of Two Broad-Spectrum Herbicides for Weed Control in Wheat

ABSTRACT: Herbicide resistance development among weeds, environmental contamination and health concerns due to the overuse of herbicides have led researchers to focus on ways to reduce herbicides to be sprayed for weed management. Adjuvants are best suited for that purpose, as they accomplish a crucial role in achieving satisfactory control of weeds by maximizing herbicidal activity. A two-year field investigation was carried out at the Agronomic Research Area, in the University of Agriculture, in Faisalabad, Pakistan during the winter of 2014 and 2015, with the objective to optimize the activity of two broad-spectrum herbicides at reduced dose (75% of the label mentioned rate) for weed control in wheat. Minimum weed density, weed dry weight and NPK uptake were recorded with reduced dosed mesosulfuron methyl + iodosulfuron methyl sodium at 10.60 g a.i. ha-1 combined with fatty alcohol ethoxylate at 200 mL ha-1. This was followed by reduced dosed sulfosulfuron at 18.75 g a.i. ha-1 combined with the same adjuvant. Among various herbicidal treatments, application of reduced dosed mesosulfuron methyl + iodosulfuron methyl sodium at 10.60 g a.i. ha-1 combined with fatty alcohol ethoxylate at 200 mL ha-1 was proved to be most cost effective and resulted in maximum wheat yield during both years of study.

Assessing the impact of climate change on crop management in winter wheat – a case study for Eastern Austria

SUMMARYClimate change is expected to affect optimum agricultural management practices for autumn-sown wheat, especially those related to sowing date and nitrogen (N) fertilization. To assess the direction and quantity of these changes for an important production region in eastern Austria, the agricultural production systems simulator was parameterized, evaluated and subsequently used to predict yield production and grain protein content under current and future conditions. Besides a baseline climate (BL, 1981–2010), climate change scenarios for the period 2035–65 were derived from three Global Circulation Models (GCMs), namely CGMR, IPCM4 and MPEH5, with two emission scenarios, A1B and B1. Crop management scenarios included a combination of three sowing dates (20 September, 20 October, 20 November) with four N fertilizer application rates (60, 120, 160, 200 kg/ha). Each management scenario was run for 100 years of stochastically generated daily weather data. The model satisfactorily simulated productivity as well as water and N use of autumn- and spring-sown wheat crops grown under different N supply levels in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 experimental seasons. Simulated wheat yields under climate change scenarios varied substantially among the three GCMs. While wheat yields for the CGMR model increased slightly above the BL scenario, under IPCM4 projections they were reduced by 29 and 32% with low or high emissions, respectively. Wheat protein appears to increase with highest increments in the climate scenarios causing the largest reductions in grain yield (IPCM4 and MPEH-A1B). Under future climatic conditions, maximum wheat yields were predicted for early sowing (September 20) with 160 kg N/ha applied at earlier dates than the current practice.

Optimization of Application Efficacy for POST Herbicides with Adjuvants on Three-Cornered Jack (Emex australis Steinheil) in Wheat

Field studies were conducted to evaluate POST herbicides with adjuvants for the control of three-cornered jack in winter wheat. The herbicides evaluated were fluroxypyr 9.7% w/w + MCPA 38.8% w/w (formulated mixture [450 g ai ha−1]), carfentrazone-ethyl (20 g ai ha−1), bromoxynil 26.8% w/w + MCPA 40.0% w/w (formulated mixture [450 g ai ha−1]), thifensulfuron-methyl (75 g ai ha−1), and tribenuron-methyl (75 g ai ha−1), applied alone or tank mixed with the adjuvants alkyl ether sulfate sodium salt (625 mL ha−1) or fatty alcohol ethoxylate (375 mL ha−1). The addition of adjuvants to carfentrazone-ethyl resulted in > 94% control of three-cornered jack. Both adjuvants enhanced the efficacy of all herbicides for control of three-cornered jack, except thifensulfuron-methyl. However, a maximum increase in phytotoxicity on three-cornered jack was achieved with the addition of either adjuvant to tribenuron-methyl compared with herbicides used alone. Bromoxynil + MCPA and carfentrazone-ethyl gave maximum wheat yield and yield components.

Sugar industry press mud as alternate organic fertiliser source

* Corresponding author Abstract: Organic materials are added to soil for improving soil physico-chemical properties. In the present study different doses of press mud along with NPK were applied to wheat crop in pot and field experiments. The increasing levels of press mud application improved soil physical conditions like increase in total porosity and reduced bulk density. Organic matter content, NPK, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content in soil also increased with the press mud application. ECe, pH and exchangeable Na percentage were reduced. Increasing levels of press mud application also increased wheat yield, yield components and crop nutrient utilisation. For realising near maximum wheat yield (95% relative yield) 40 tonnes press mud per ha −1 was found to be the optimum level.

Sulphur Supply Enhances Wheat Growth and Yield on Saline-Sodic Soil

. The effect of different S levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg S/ha) on growth and ionic concentration of wheat variety Inqlab-91 directly sown on saline-sodic soil (ECe=5.65 dS/m, pH=8.57 and SAR=17.38) was evaluated in a field experiment. Treatments were arranged using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The crop was harvested at maturity, data on tillering, plant height, spike length, number of grains/spike, 1000- grain weight and yields (grain and straw) were recorded. Na, K, Ca and S concentrations in grain and straw were estimated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Tillering, number of grains/spike, 1000- grain weight and grain yield significantly (p :: 0.05) increased by enhancing the S application. Maximum wheat yield (4.66 t/ha) was recorded when S was applied at 75 kg/ha, which was 43% more than the control treatment. Maximum number of tillers/plant (161) and number of grains/spike
 (56) were recorded with sulphur applied at 75 kg/ha. Positive correlation (r = 0.85), (r = 0.88) between calcium, potassium and negative correlation (r = -0.84) between grain sodium content and wheat grain yield was recorded. It indicates that presence of significantly higher Ca and K contents of grain receiving S application might possibly help plants to attain more Ca and K and avoided sodium uptake to alleviate salinity/sodicity stress. Economical analysis showed that maximum value cost ratio (5.5:1) was achieved with the application of 25 kg S/ha.