Normal Harvest Research Articles

Exploiting Waste Heat from Combine Harvesters to Damage Harvested Weed Seeds and Reduce Weed Infestation

Weeds are mainly controlled with herbicides in intensive crop production, but this has resulted in increasing problems with herbicide-resistant weeds and public concerns about the unwanted side-effects of herbicide use. Therefore, there is a need for new alternative methods to reduce weed problems. One way to reduce weed infestation could be to collect or kill weed seeds produced in the growing season. Crop and weeds are harvested simultaneously with the combine harvester, but most of the weed seeds are returned with the chaff to the field creating new problems in future growing seasons. During the harvesting process, the harvester produces heat. Under normal harvest conditions, the exhaust gas temperature measured directly behind the turbocharger of the engine of a combine harvester may reach between 400 °C and 480 °C depending of the size of the engine. These high temperatures indicate that there is a potential for developing a system which perhaps could be utilized to kill or damage the weeds seeds. We investigate how much heat is needed to damage weed seeds significantly and focuses on the germination patterns over time in response to these treatments. We investigated if heat treatment of weed seeds could kill the seeds or reduce seed vigour or kill the seeds before they are returned to the field. The aim is to avoid harvested viable weed seeds being added to the soil seed bank. During the threshing and cleaning process in the combine harvester, most weed seeds and chaff are separated from the crop grains. After this separation, we imagine that the weed seeds could be exposed to a high temperature before they are returned to the field. Seeds of nine common weed species were treated with temperatures of 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, and 250 °C for 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 s, respectively. Afterwards, the seeds were germinated for fourteen days. Seeds were differently affected by the heat treatments. We found that 50 °C and 100 °C was insufficient to harm the seeds of all species significantly at all durations. Heating with a temperature of 50 °C and 100 °C showed a slight tendency to break the dormancy of Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. and Papaver rhoeas L., but the results were not statistically significant. Seeds treated with 150 °C gave varying results depending on the duration and the weed species. The germination of A. myosuroides was significantly repressed when seeds were exposed to 250 °C for 5 s. Most species were significantly damaged when they were exposed to 250 °C for more than 10 s. Our results showed that there is a potential to explore how the waste heat energy produced by combine harvesters can be exploited to either kill or reduce the vigour of weed seeds before they are returned to the field with the chaff.

Effects of some Ggronomic Techniques on Oil Yield and Composition of Oenothera biennis L.

Evening Primrose oil (Oenothera biennis L.) is a rich source of Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and other useful unsaturated fatty acids. Despite the diversity of sources of GLA, due to better absorption in the human body, evening primrose oil is the main source of GLA. In this study, the effects of pollination, harvesting method and application of salicylic acid on yield, yield components, and quality of evening primrose oil were studied. A factorial experiment as a randomized complete block design with three treatments including pollination (pollination by bees, no pollinators and free pollinators), salicylic acid (0 and 200 ppm) and harvest method (normal harvest, pre harvest by flame) and four replications was performed. The effect of treatments on the oil yield, oil content, fatty acids composition and the content of free fatty acids of oil were studied. Results showed that the oil yield and oil percentage of plants which visited by bees were at the highest amount (1.87 gr/ plant and 33.6%, respectively). Compared to the control, the oil yield of plants which treated with salicylic acid significantly increased. Between two different harvest methods, the highest oil percent (31.6 %) was observed in plants treated with flame. Under the interaction effect of treatments, the highest oil yield (2.24 g/plant) was observed in combination of bee and salicylic acid 200 ppm and the highest free fatty acids (2.19%) accumulation was recorded in the open cage with 200 ppm salicylic acid. Since pollination increases the number of formed seeds per capsules, therefore, it is expected that simultaneous application of pollinator and pre-harvest treatment by flame increases seed yield, oil yield and quality which is partly shown in the obtained results of present study.

Suitable gibberellic acid treatment for double-purpose rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties at different harvest times

The purpose of this study was to investigate suitable gibberellic acid (GA) treatments for different rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties when harvested at different times, and to supply instructions for improving double-purpose rice production. Four rice varieties (Wuyujing 3, Nanjing 44, Nanjing 46 and Liangyoupeijiu) were used in the experiment, with one GA spraying time in 2013 (the 15th day after anthesis) and three GA spraying times in 2014 (the 7th, 15th and 21st day after anthesis) being set, and the rice was harvested on two occasions in 2013 and 2014 (harvest time 1 when the grains of the control group plants had reached 80% maturity, and harvest time 2 occurring 6days after harvest time 1). GA concentration was 45ghm−2 in both years. The results indicated that at normal harvest time (harvest time 1), the optimum GA treatment for Liangyoupeijiu was an application on the 7th day after anthesis, but for Nanjing 44 and Nanjing 46, the optimum GA treatment was an application on the 21st day after anthesis. However, when harvest time was delayed (harvest time 2), GA applied on the 21st day after anthesis for Liangyoupeijiu, Wuyujing 3 and Nanjing 44 was the optimum GA treatment for both grain production and straw feed quality; while for Nanjing 46, GA applied on the 21st day after anthesis was the best GA treatment for grain yield, and GA applied on the 15th day after anthesis was the best treatment for straw feed quality. In conclusion, the optimum GA treatment for double-purpose rice changed when harvesting took place at different times, and it also changed for different rice varieties. Moreover, the GA effects on grain production and straw feed quality were sometimes different.

Growth Curve of Elephant Foot Yam under Moderate to Severe Stress and Plant Sensitivity

Plant response sensitivity under stress is studied to maximise yam yield for different seed weights. Longitudinal growth of 60 Elephant-foot-yam is examined in a field experiment conducted in agricultural farm at Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, Jharkhand (India) during 2015-16. Consider the stress from harsh agro-climatic environment with little manure, no weeding, and scanty irrigation as in sustainable agriculture in starting experiment. For some plants, in the middle of experiment, as a severe stress, underground yam and root structure is detached; remaining structures of stem attached with a few roots are replanted to continue experiment. Other plants are taken off the ground and yam volumes are measured by Archimedean principle, before replanting. Regular irrigation, manuring and weeding started around the time of first intervention. Subsequently, one more interim yam reading is taken by uprooting all surviving plants with care, before replanting for maturity. Yam growth under different stress and seed weights are computed from longitudinal growth via four possible readings on yam for each surviving plant. Almost sure confidence bands are constructed to cover growth curves with certainty. Seed weight 650g corresponds to superior growth, with sharp upturn of growth curve under severe stress. Detaching yam in the middle of experiment and replanting the remaining structure to continue experiment till full plant lifetime with seed weight 650g has significantly increasing effect on yield. Yam growth is higher due to plant stress, induced from interim yam detachment. The results are new. Interim yield plus final yield exceeds normal harvest under general stress.

Role of carbohydrates in petal blackening and lack of flower opening in cut lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flowers

Lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) are sold as stems with terminal buds that are about to open, to be used in Buddhist religious offerings. The buds fail to open if the cut stems are placed in water. Moreover, the petals rapidly turn black. This study investigated whether this might be due to a lack of carbohydrates. The inclusion of different sugars in the vase water, together with an adequate antimicrobial compound, had no effect on petal blackening and did not promote flower opening. By contrast, cutting the buds at a slightly more mature stage of development resulted in full flower opening. However, the levels of glucose, fructose, or sucrose in the white petals were the same at the later date of harvest as at the earlier date; thus, this did not explain the effect of cutting at an advanced stage of development. It was concluded that a lack of sugars does not seem to explain petal blackening or a lack of flower opening in lotus flowers that are cut at the normal harvest stage (bud stage).

Evaluation of the Effect of Different Harvest Time on the Fruit Quality of Foşa Nut

This study was carried out in Arsin (Trabzon/Turkey) in 2011. The effects of different harvest time and altitudes on the quality of the nuts have been investigated. The study was performed on Fosa hazelnut and the harvest process has been conducted at three terms, which are on normal harvest time and ten days before and after harvest time. The harvested nuts were dried in the shade on the concrete floor until their moisture content decreased to 5 %. Some properties of nuts including yield, fruit weight, internal weight, shell thickness, and protein, oleic, and linoleic acid amounts have been investigated. As evaluated all of the fruit properties it can be concluded that 11 August is the most suitable harvest date for coast zone. On the other hand, no significant differences were obtained in the point of protein, oleic, and linoleic acid amounts for different harvest time and altitudes.

An economic analysis of harvest timing to manage the physiological storage disorder firm flesh browning in ‘Empire’ apples

Firm flesh browning of ‘Empire’ apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica Borkh.) fruit is a major cause of revenue loss for growers and storage operators. In this study, the economic impact of harvest date on revenue based on percentage pack-out (fruit size/weight and red coloration) and disorder incidence has been investigated using a budgeting model. Fruit were harvested from a commercial orchard weekly for three weeks; H1 (one week before normal harvest), H2 (normal harvest), and H3 (one week after normal harvest). Fruit samples were either untreated or treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (2kPa O2; 2kPa CO2) at 0.5°C and 2°C. Field bins of fruit were used to assess pack-out percentages. Flesh browning was low at H1 and unaffected by 1-MCP treatment, whereas incidence was highest in fruit from H3, and especially in 1-MCP treated fruit stored at 2°C. The enterprise budget model shows that net profits for a one hectare high density planting vary slightly between fresh-marketed fruit in the fall, and for fruit stored after nine months in CA storage, both with and without 1-MCP treatment. Net profits from one hectare are higher for H3 when fruit are marketed in the fall, in comparison to the normal harvest (H2), but at harvest, pack-out was substantially lower for fruit from H1. Fruit quality and pack-out percentages after storage depended not only on the harvest date but also on storage temperature and 1-MCP treatment. Therefore, there is an economic tradeoff between harvest date, occurrence of flesh browning, and likely net profits to producers of ‘Empire’ apples.

Zeaxanthin biofortification of sweet-corn and factors affecting zeaxanthin accumulation and colour change

Zeaxanthin, along with its isomer lutein, are the major carotenoids contributing to the characteristic colour of yellow sweet-corn. From a human health perspective, these two carotenoids are also specifically accumulated in the human macula, and are thought to protect the photoreceptor cells of the eye from blue light oxidative damage and to improve visual acuity. As humans cannot synthesise these compounds, they must be accumulated from dietary components containing zeaxanthin and lutein. In comparison to most dietary sources, yellow sweet-corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) is a particularly good source of zeaxanthin, although the concentration of zeaxanthin is still fairly low in comparison to what is considered a supplementary dose to improve macular pigment concentration (2mg/person/day). In our present project, we have increased zeaxanthin concentration in sweet-corn kernels from 0.2 to 0.3mg/100g FW to greater than 2.0mg/100g FW at sweet-corn eating-stage, substantially reducing the amount of corn required to provide the same dosage of zeaxanthin. This was achieved by altering the carotenoid synthesis pathway to more than double total carotenoid synthesis and to redirect carotenoid synthesis towards the β-arm of the pathway where zeaxanthin is synthesised. This resulted in a proportional increase of zeaxanthin from 22% to 70% of the total carotenoid present. As kernels increase in physiological maturity, carotenoid concentration also significantly increases, mainly due to increased synthesis but also due to a decline in moisture content of the kernels. When fully mature, dried kernels can reach zeaxanthin and β-carotene concentrations of 8.7mg/100g and 2.6mg/100g, respectively. Although kernels continue to increase in zeaxanthin when harvested past their normal harvest maturity stage, the texture of these ‘over-mature’ kernels is tough, making them less appealing for fresh consumption. Increase in zeaxanthin concentration and other orange carotenoids such as β-carotene also results in a decline in kernel hue angle of fresh sweet-corn from approximately 90° (yellow) to as low as 75° (orange-yellow). This enables high-zeaxanthin sweet-corn to be visually-distinguishable from standard yellow sweet-corn, which is predominantly pigmented by lutein.

Black Catholicism

Black Catholicism

Can Mineral Analysis be Used as a Tool to Predict ‘Braeburn’ Browning Disorders (BBD) in Apple in Commercial Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage in Central Europe?

‘Braeburn’ apples stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) frequently present internal flesh browning physiological disorder which is commonly referred as ‘Braeburn’ Browning Disorder (BBD). Apples from different orchards, years or site conditions can vary considerably in their sensitivity. The aim of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the mineral status of ‘Braeburn’ apples before-harvest (18 days) and at early and normal harvest, to correlate the data with the BBD incidence found in apples post storage and to investigate possible reasons for differences in disorder sensitivity. Fruits from seven orchards in the Lake Constance area (South-Western Germany) were harvested at two picking dates and the mineral content was measured before-harvest, at-harvest and during storage. Fruit were stored at 1.5 °C under CA conditions (1 kPa O2 and 0.5 kPa CO2) using either a 10 days or a 24 days delayed establishment of CA conditions. Fruit were evaluated after 6 months of storage plus 10 days of shelf life at 18 °C for mineral status and the browning disorder incidence. Results indicate no significant changes of the mineral concentrations in the fruit during CA-storage. Significant correlations between the post storage BBD incidence with K, and in some cases also for the K/Ca ratio and for P at-harvest were found.

Clinical outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction utilizing hamstring tendon autografts

Background: A case series demonstrating functional outcomes of 36 patients 2 years following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction utilizing hamstring autografts is presented here. We employed a quadruple bundle technique with cortical endobutton fixation. Materials and Methods: The methods of evaluation comprised of the 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee forms, clinical hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength testing in guidance with the Medical Research Council (MRC) grading, single leg triple hop assessment for distance, and the 'Aircast Rolimeter' arthrometer for objective joint laxity. Results: Mean IKDC score was 84.05 ± 14.37. A clinical final evaluation of normal or nearly normal was obtained by 97.2% (35/36) the participants. Passive motion deficit measured clinically using a goniometer was also found to be normal or nearly normal in 97.2% (35/36). One hundred percent of patients had normal or near normal grades for clinical manual knee ligament tests, 94.4% (34/36) patients had normal or near normal compartmental findings, and 100% of patients had normal or near normal harvest site findings. Hamstring muscle strength of the operated knee was clinically assessed to be 5/5 in 86.11% of candidates, while quadriceps muscle strength measured 5/5 in 100% of the subjects. The triple leg hop for distance demonstrated optimal performance with a limb symmetry index of 95.3 ± 13.3%. Arthrometric measurements revealed a mean side to side difference of + 0.70 ± 1.78 mm with Lachman's test and + 0.67 ± 1.43 mm with the anterior drawer test between the operated knee and the normal contralateral knee. Conclusion: We conclude that at 18 months following ACL reconstruction with hamstring auto grafts, our subject group displayed exceptionally satisfactory functional outcomes.

A Five-year Study on the Effect of Cluster Thinning and Harvest Date on Yield, Fruit Composition, and Cold-hardiness of ‘Vidal Blanc’ (Vitis spp.) for Ice Wine Production

The aim of this 5-year study was to investigate the influence of cluster thinning (CT) and harvest date on yield components, fruit composition, and bud cold-hardiness in ‘Vidal blanc’ (Vitis spp.) grapevines grown in northern Ohio. It is unknown whether delaying harvest of ‘Vidal blanc’ for ice wine production would impact negatively winter-hardiness. ‘Vidal blanc’ grapevines were cluster-thinned at post-fruit set [Eichhorn-Lorenz (EL) Stage 31] to two crop levels by retaining 40 (CT40) and 60 (CT60) clusters per vine. Each crop level was harvested at three dates: normal harvest (HD1), fall harvest (HD2) after the first killing frost, and winter harvest (HD3) corresponding to the typical commercial harvest for ice wine. Generally, and as expected, the high crop level CT60 increased crop weight and cropload and decreased total soluble solids and pH. Delayed harvest decreased crop weight, cluster weight, berry weight, and titratable acidity but increased total soluble solids and pH. Bud cold-hardiness, determined by thermal analysis and after two freezing events, was not different among all treatments. It was concluded that CT40 produced optimum vine size and cropload thus balanced vines. Furthermore, delaying fruit harvest in ‘Vidal blanc’ for ice wine production in the northeastern United States and Canada improves fruit composition but has no adverse influence on bud cold-hardiness.

Boronia heterophylla vase life is influenced more by ethylene than by bacterial numbers or vase solution pH

Bacterial proliferation in both vase solutions and in cut flower stems has been implicated in reducing the vase life of numerous genera. Boronia heterophylla F. Muell. (Red Boronia) vase life was assessed at two stages of floral maturity for nine vase solution treatments covering a pH range of 2.5–5.7. Vase life for advanced harvest maturity stems ranged from 4.2 d in 10mM citric acid+50mgL−1 chlorine (pH 2.5) to 12.9 d after STS pulsing (pH 5.7). For normal harvest maturity stems, the corresponding range was 5.8–19.0 d, respectively. Vase solutions containing 50mgL−1 chlorine biocide resulted in decreased longevity. In contrast, pulsing with the ethylene-binding inhibitor, STS, significantly increased vase life. The number of bacteria in the vase solutions after 11 d was determined in stems of advanced maturity. The solution with the greatest number of bacteria, 4.0×1010cfumL−1, was water used after STS pulsing and in which the flowers lasted longest. Vase solution bacteria were enumerated on days 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 of the vase period with stems of normal harvest maturity. There was no relationship between vase life and vase solution bacterial numbers (R¯2=0.000). Moreover, there was a negative relationship between numbers of bacteria in basal 0–5cm stem segments and vase life. As no correlations were evident between longevity and either the pH or vase solution bacterial numbers, B. heterophylla vase life was evidently limited principally by ethylene action.

Recent Progress of Strawberry Year-round Production Technology in Japan

In Japan, more than 90% of strawberries are produced by forcing culture, which involves inducing flowering in autumn by several artificial methods (e.g. chilling, short-day), growing plants under a heated greenhouse to avoid the induction of dormancy and dwarfing, and keeping them in a semi-dormant state to allow continued harvesting. Although the normal harvest period is from late November to June, progress in technological research and the development of forcing has contributed to such long-term harvests. In forcing culture, it is important to understand the dormancy status of the strawberry plants, since controlling dormancy is key to realizing long-term successive harvests between winter and early summer. However, the last two decades have seen increasing demand for a year-round supply of strawberries for confectioners. Recent progress in the research and development of strawberry year-round production technology is reviewed with special reference to the activities of a summer-autumn production research team in the Tohoku region.

Oil content and fruit quality of nine olive (Olea europaea L.) varieties affected by irrigation and harvest times

A field experiment was conducted on nine olive varieties with the objective of determining the effect of regulated deficit irrigation on olive oil content and physical quality parameters of fruits. Three irrigation levels were applied as a percentage of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during the pit-hardening period: rainfed, R (0% ETc); deficit, D (50% ETc); and irrigated, I (100% ETc). Rainfall and ETc during the pit-hardening period were 78 mm and 164 mm, respectively. Olives were sampled four times during the normal crop harvest period. Withholding irrigation during the pit-hardening period (R treatment) reduced the fruit size of three of the varieties, but had no effect on oil contents, while saving 35% irrigation water compared with the I treatment. The D treatment resulted in 17.5% water saving with minor effects on fruit size, timing of maturity and oil content. The olive cultivars responded differently to irrigation treatments in terms of most of the parameters considered. This necessitates cultivar-specific irrigation management.

Effects of maturity and 1-MCP treatment on postharvest quality and antioxidant properties of ‘Fuji’ apples during long-term cold storage

‘Fuji’ apple fruit harvested 10 days before normal harvest (H1) and at normal harvest (H2) were untreated or treated with 1 L L−1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and stored at 0 for up to 30 weeks. Fruits from H1 were firmer and had higher titratable acidity (TA) but lower soluble solids concentrations than those from H2. 1-MCP treatment delayed loss of firmness and TA in fruit from both harvests during storage. Superficial scald incidence was decreased by 1-MCP treatment, but flesh browning was unaffected. H2 fruit had higher total phenolics, flavonoid, and glutathione content as well as total antioxidant activity than H1 fruit at harvest and throughout storage. 1-MCP treated fruit tended to have higher levels of these constituents than untreated fruit in peel, but not in flesh tissues. These results suggest that fruit harvested at the mature stage have better integral quality with 1-MCP treatment.

Portable weighing system for monitoring picker efficiency during manual harvest of sweet cherry

Harvest costs are significant for tree fruit producers and, yet, not well studied. In this paper a prototype system for measuring harvest worker efficiency in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is presented. This weighing system consists of a digital weighing platform compatible with standard commercial fruit bins and a data logger interfaced to a wireless radio. Weight data were transmitted every 5 s, filtered and stored to a laptop computer (database). System functionality and reliability were evaluated in five orchards in cooperation with three commercial growers. Preliminary tests showed that the system did not interfere with normal harvest activities and that the efficiency of pickers and picking teams varied within and across orchard blocks, (e.g. 0.75 to 2.87 kg/min), depending on their experience and skills (e.g. 1.37 kg/min for skilled workers vs. 0.64 kg/min for unskilled). Further, the mean picking rate of ‘Skeena’ without pedicels (stem-free) was 1.15 kg/min, almost 50 % greater than fruit with stems (mean = 0.75 kg/min) when picked by the same crew and orchard.

Effects of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on preharvest fruit drop, fruit maturity, and quality of ‘Red Chief’ apple

AVG was applied as the ‘ReTain’ formulation to determine its effects on preharvest drop of ‘Red Chief’ apple. AVG applications (150, 300 and 600mg/L) made 4 week before anticipated harvest decreased significantly preharvest drop ratio and ethylene production relative to control. AVG delayed fruit ripening and slowed loss of flesh firmness and degradation of starch. The removal force of fruits treated AVG were greater than those of fruits from control and NAA treated trees at all harvest dates. Two application of NAA made 4 and 2 week before anticipated harvest was ineffective to control preharvest drop in ‘Red Chief’ apple. NAA increased ethylene production of fruits one week after second application, but did not cause a significant difference at normal harvest date relative to control. Among three AVG concentrations, only 600mg/L AVG increased significantly L* and hue angle value relative to control. All AVG concentrations used had no effect on chroma value. NAA did not cause a significant effect on chroma and hue angle values, but decreased L value compared to control.

Curing viruses in Pleurotus ostreatus by growth on a limited nutrient medium containing cAMP and rifamycin

Oyster mushroom spherical virus (OMSV) and oyster mushroom isometric virus (OMIV) are the causative agents of a fruiting body deformation disease in the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The curing of these mycoviruses was facilitated by a serial transfer of infected mycelia onto a limited nutrient medium containing 1mM of cAMP and 75 μg/ml of rifamycin (cAMP-rifamycin plate). The mycelia were grown on cAMP-rifamycin plates for 5 successive passages. ELISA and RT-PCR showed that the amount of mycoviruses inside the mycelia decreased significantly with increasing numbers of passages. The mycelia became free of viruses after 5 successive passages. Cultivation of the virus-cured mycelia on a mushroom compost medium produced a normal harvest, whereas the spawn infected with viruses failed to produce any fruiting bodies.

Association analysis among morphological and physiological traits of grain yield in wheat and meteorological parameters

In order to identify potential traits determining yield under terminal heat stress during grain filling stages, correlation and path coefficients analyses were conducted to study character associations among 25 morphological and physiological traits in a set of genetically divergent 36 bread wheat genotypes under normal and late sown conditions. Grain yield depicted positive association with grain weight (GW), grains/spike (G/S), biological yield (BY), harvest index (HI) under normal (NS) and late sown (LS) conditions, GGR-3 (grain growth rate at 28 days after anthesis) in LS and negative association with DM (days to maturity) , HU (heat units) and PTU (photothermal unit) in NS and with ChA-1(CHB “a” at anthesis), CHB “a”-1 (total CHB at anthesis) and CHB “a”-2 (total CHB at 28 days after anthesis) in LS. Path coefficient analysis revealed that out of eight characters significantly related to yield under normal sown conditions, PTU, harvest index, biological yield and grains per spike directly affected the grain yield in positive direction. On the basis of strong association with yield and marked direct influence on yield, the numbers of grains are considered to be first order yield components and ought to have top priority in selection under normal sown conditions. Under late sown conditions BY, harvest index (HI), CHB “a”-1 and grain weight had direct positive effect but the grains per spike exhibited negative direct effect despite of the fact that it possessed a positive significant correlation with grain yield. Based on results, it is suggested that high numbers of grains and high grain weight should be given priority for selection of high yielding genotypes in NS and LS, respectively.