Number Of Grains Spike Research Articles

Yield and yield components of wheat as affected by different seed rates and nitrogen levels

The present study was designed to find out the effect of different seed rates and nitrogen levels on wheat. The experiment was laid out in Split plot arrangement with 4 replications. The plot size of 4 x 1.8 m 2 was maintained. Prior to sowing Wheat variety Lakki- J03 was sown on a well prepared seed bed on 2 nd week of Nov. in 2003. at Agriculture Research Station Serai Nourang, Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Pakistan. Adequate plant protection measures were made during the crop growing period. Keeping in view the soil condition and physical appearance of crop, five numbers of irrigations were applied to all the plots uniformly. Observations on number of tillers m -2 , spikes m -2 , number of grains spike -1 , 1000 grain weight (g), biological yield (kg ha -1 ), grains yield (kg ha -1 ) and economic analysis were recorded. Five seed rates (S1 = 60 kg ha -1 , S2 = 80 kg ha -1 , S3 = 100 kg ha -1 , S4 = 120 kg ha -1 and S5 = 140 kg ha -1 ) and five nitrogen doses (N0 = Control, N1 = 40 kg ha -1 , N2 = 80 kg ha -1 , N3 = 120 kg ha -1 and N5 = 140 kg ha -1 ) were applied during experiment. Analysis of the data recorded from the irrigation treatments showed that maximum (334.85) tillers m -2 , spikes m -2 (326.00), grains spike -1 (60.80), 1000-grain weight (41.91 g), grain yield (3957.64 kg ha -1 ), biological yield (10172.40 kg ha -1 ), net income (Rs. 50225.00), BCR (4.28 %) and MRR % (428.27) was noted from the plots which were seeded with 120 kg ha -1 . Statistical analysis of the data also revealed that maximum (348.00) tillers m 2 , spikes m -2 (332.95), grains spike -1 (63.90), 1000-grain weight (42.19 g), grain yield (4145.14 kg ha -1 ), biological yield (10579.75 kg ha -1 ), net income (Rs. 52831.00), BCR (4.46 %) and MRR % (446.21) was noted from the plots fertilized with 120 kg N ha -1 . In case of interaction between seed rate and nitrogen, it was observed that maximum (380.75) tillers m -2 , spikes m -2 (372.25), grains spike -1 (68.25), 1000-grain weight (44.20 g), grain yield (4663.20 kg ha -1 ), biological yield (11270.00 kg ha -1 ), net income (Rs. 60179.00), BCR (4.88 %) and MRR % (488.25) was noted from the plots seeded with 120 kg ha -1 seed rate and fertilized with 120 kg N ha -1 .. From the above results, it is concluded that to get more yield and economic profit, for wheat crop use 120 kg ha -1 seed rate and fertilized with 120 kg N ha -1 .

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME EGYPTIAN BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare L.) CULTIVARS FOR SALT TOLERANCE

Salinity is a major abiotic stress which affecting all crops in Egypt especially in the northern part of Nile Delta. More than 30% of the total cultivated areas are irrigated by mixed or saline water. This study was amid to evaluate and clarify the adaptive response in agro-physiological and molecular aspects of 15 Egyptian available barley cultivars. The experiment was conducted during two seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 in randomized complete block design with three replications under both saline and normal conditions. The results showed that Giza 123, Giza 131 and Giza 136 had the highest number of grains spike-1, grain yield, flag leaf area and chlorophyll content under both normal and saline, which were considered as tolerant cultivars. Moreover, proline content, catalase and peroxidase activities were higher in these cultivars than activities in the sensitive cultivars under salt stress. Based on molecular analysis using informative SSR markers, the data represents in total 13 fragments with high polymorphism (100%) ranged from one to four fragments per locus with fragment sizes ranged from (120 to 290 bp). Bmag0770 primer amplified specific fragment in most tolerant cultivars, which was absent in susceptible cultivars with higher PIC value (0.79%). Dendrogram based on SSR marker successfully discriminated the barley cultivars for salt stress.

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT METHODS AND TIME OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER APPLICATION IN WHEAT UNDER ARID CONDITION

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different time and methods of application of phosphatic fertilizer to wheat crop under Arid condition. Experiment was comprised of five treatments viz: T1= Control, T2= P2O5 broadcast at the time of seedbed preparation in the form of (TSP), T3 = P2O5 side drilling after sowing, 5 cm apart rows and 5 cm deep with Rabi hand drill, T4= P2O5 broadcast after sowing at the time of first irrigation and T5= P2O5 mixed with seed of wheat. Results showed that although all the treatments tested were differing significantly from the control in all aspects studied but, application of phospahtic fertilizer (P2O5) side drilling after sowing, 5 cm apart rows and 5 cm deep with Rabi hand drill, produced maximum germination percentage (82.15), plant height (108.50 cm), number of fertile tillers m (356), number of grains spike (41.50), 1000 grains weight (42.40 g) and grain yield (5.08 t ha) as compared to other treatments. Maximum P contents in the straw, grain, total P uptake and protein contents in grain were recorded in T5 was statistically at par with the T4 and T3. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that application of phosphatic fertilizer at 5 cm apart side dressing of the rows at a depth of 5 cm not only increase the plant vigor but also produced better yield under arid condition.

Tolerance of Durum Wheat Cultivars to Postanthesis Drought Conditions as Affected by Seed Priming, Bio-Fertilizer and Potassium Application

The present study aimed to investigate the tolerance of different durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum Desf.em. Musn) genotypes to drought stress at heading to maturity stage under the influence of drought alleviation treatments.The field work was carried out at Fuka Research Station, Faculty of Desert and Environmental Agriculture, AlexandriaUniversity, Matrouh Branch Egypt, in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 winter seasons. The experimental design was split-plot,with four replicates where the main plots included six treatments as follows: 1) Spraying with potassium, 2) Priming withcalcium chloride, 3) Bio-fertilization with HALEX® 4) Seed hydro-priming, 5) Sowing of dry seed (these five treatmentswere subjected to drought by holding irrigation at postanthesis) and 6) Control (irrigation all season). The sub-plotsincluded the three durum wheat genotypes. The results revealed insignificant variation for applied treatments on allstudied characters, except for 100-grain weight, in the two seasons. Cultivars showed significant variations in LAI (at 80DAS), dry weight of spikes (at 50 % heading and 30 days later) and number of grains spike-1 in the two seasons.Interaction between drought alleviation treatments and cultivars was insignificant, for all studied characters in the twoseasons. Also, wheat plants, irrigated all season, gave the highest 100-grain weight (5.31 and 6.48 g) in the two seasons,respectively. On the other hand, Sohag 3 was superior (0.23 and 0.25) to Marjawi (0.19 and 0.21) in LAI, in the twoseasons, respectively. In addition, Beni Suef 5 gave the highest significant dry weight of spikes and number of grainsspike -1 in the two seasons. Drought susceptibility index (DIS) values revealed that seed priming with CaCl2 and watertolerated drought at postanthesis stage and gave comparable grain yield to that of control. Beni Suef 5 and Marjawishowed higher tolerance to drought than Sohag 3.

Growth and yield of wheat(Triticum aestivumL.) with elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and temperature in north-west India

An experiment was conducted growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in open top chambers (OTCs) to determine the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature on growth, yield and yield attributes of wheat. Wheat (var. WR 544) was grown with two levels of carbon dioxide i.e., ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (550 ± 20 ppm) and three levels of temperature i.e., ambient, ambient + 1.5°C and ambient + 3.0°C during rabi (November to April) seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 in New Delhi, India. Elevated CO2 increased grain yield of wheat by 21.36% with greater grain number and harvest index (HI) by 6.56% compared to ambient CO2. Biological yield, straw yield and other yield attributes also increased with elevated CO2. Elevated temperature by 1.5°C and 3.0°C decreasedgrain yield by 9.39% and 18.18%, respectively. Simultaneous elevation of CO2 and temperature increased number of tiller m−2, number of spike m−2, straw yield, biological yield but decreased days to 50% anthesis, plant height, number of grains spike−1 and grain weight spike−1. The study showed that elevated CO2 had positive effects, whereas elevated temperature had negative effects on growth and yield of wheat. With elevation of both CO2 and temperature, elevated CO2 reduced the negative effects of elevated temperature on yield and yield components of wheat.

Performance of Prilled Urea and Urea Super Granules on the Growth and Yield of Wheat

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207 during the period from November 2011 to March 2012 to evaluate the performance of prilled urea and urea super granules (USG) on the growth and yield of wheat varieties. The experiment comprised of four wheat varieties viz., BARI Gom 21, BARI Gom 24, BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26, and five nitrogen (N) levels viz., control (no Nitrogen), 84 kg ha-1 N from USG, and 30, 50 and 70 kg N ha-1 from prilled urea i.e., 67, 112 and 155 kg urea ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications where wheat varieties were placed in the main plot and nitrogenous fertilizers in sub-plots. Experimental results indicated that different varieties had the significant effect on plant height, number of tillers and dry weight plant-1, and number of grains spike-1, grain and straw yield, and harvest index. The variety BARI Gom 24 produced the highest grain yield (2.49 t ha-1) that mainly attributed by the maximum number of spikes plant-1, number of grains spike-1 and 1000-grain weight. Among the different nitrogenous fertilizers 84 kg N ha-1 from USG (1.8 g) gave the highest grain yield (2.69 t ha-1) due to the maximum number of spikes plant-1, maximum number of grains spike-1 and 1000-grain weight. The variety BARI Gom 24 produced the highest grain yield (2.80 t ha-1) with 80 kg N ha-1 from USG application.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 37-48

Genetic potential and heritability estimates of yield traits in F3 segregating populations of bread wheat

An experiment comprising of 24 wheat genotypes was undertaken during 2011-12, at New Developmental Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, to elucidate information on the nature and magnitude of genetic variability, index of transmissibility and assessing the level of genetic improvement of the quantitative characters. The experimental material comprising 19 F3 populations along with their 5 parents of bread wheat were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance exhibited highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among genotypes for all the traits studied. F3 population Ghaznavi-98 x Pirsabak-05 showed maximum mean value for 1000-grain weight (47.3 g) and biological yield (11474.9 kg ha-1), whereas, maximum values for grain yield (4027.3 kg ha-1), and harvest index (48.1%) were observed for Pirsabak-05 x AUP-4006. Moreover, maximum spike length (11 cm) was recorded for cross combination Pirsabak-05 x Pirsabak-04 and Janbaz x Pirsabak-05, respectively. In addition, Pirsabak-04 showed maximum value for number of grains spike-1 (55.0). Genetic variances were of greater magnitude than environmental variances for all the traits except for spike length and 1000-grain weight. Heritability estimates were of higher magnitude ranged from 0.64 to 0.92 for harvest index, biological yield, grain yield, and grains spike-1. Moderate to low heritability (0.40-0.46) was observed for 1000-grain weight, and spike length, respectively. Genetic gain was for spike length (0.48 cm), grains spike-1 (8.57), 1000-grain weight (2.93 g), grain yield (639.87 kg ha-1), biological yield (1790.03 kg ha-1), and harvest index (5.32 %). From high values of heritability and genetic advance, it could be concluded that selection for traits like grains spike-1 suggested good selection criteria and could be effective for future breeding programs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12630 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 106-115

Breeding effects on the cultivar × environment interaction of durum wheat yield

Understanding the effect of past durum wheat breeding activities on the cultivar×environment (C×E) interaction of yield and yield components may guide future breeding strategies. A historical series of 24 cultivars released in Italy and Spain during the 20th century was grown in 13 environments with average yields ranging between 1425 and 6670kgha−1. The most important environmental factors affecting the C×E interaction for yield were reference evapotranspiration before anthesis and water input during grain filling. The response of cultivars to environmental variables in terms of yield and yield components was associated to the allelic composition for the Rht-B1 locus. Improved semi-dwarf cultivars (carrying the Rht-B1b allele) had the best yield performance in environments with high water input after anthesis, while tall cultivars (carrying allele Rht-B1a) were better adapted to environments with high evapotranspirative demand before anthesis and low water input after it. The introduction of the Rht-B1b allele improved the capacity of the crop to respond to water availability during grain filling by increasing the number of grains spike−1 and grain weight. Yield increases due to breeding caused a loss of stability from the static viewpoint, but not from a dynamic approach based on the superiority measure (Pi). Some semi-dwarf cultivars maintained the levels of yield stability characteristic of the old tall ones. Our results suggest that durum breeding in the 20th century enhanced the response of the crop to environmental improvements.

Canopy Temperature and Yield Based Selection of Wheat Genotypes for Water Deficit Environment

The experiment was conducted with thirty-five wheat genotypes at the research field of the Department of Agronomy of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University from November 2011 to March 2012 to screen out the wheat genotypes for drought tolerance of thirty-five wheat genotypes under water deficit condition. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design comprising two water regimes in main plot and thirty-five wheat genotypes were placed randomly in sub-plot with three replications. From this experiment, it was found that water deficit condition severely reduced the plant height, number of effective tillers m﹣2, spike length, number of spikelets spike﹣1, number of grains spike﹣1 and thousand grain weight. Based on the percentage of yield reduction, the genotypes BARI Wheat 26, Sourav, BAW 1169 and BAW 1158 were categorized in tolerant group exhibited low yield reduction (>30%) and the genotypes Seri, Pavon, BAW 1166, BAW 1167, BAW 1171 and BAW 1173 were ranked in susceptible group due to very low yielding ability with high yield reduction which ranged from 50.01% to 59.17% in water deficit condition. The maximum increased canopy temperature was recorded in the genotypes BAW 1166, BAW 1167, Seri, Pavon and BARI Wheat 25. The minimum was in the genotypes BARI Wheat 26, BAW 1157, Sourav, BAW 1169 and Gourab. The highest MP, GMP and STI values were recorded in the genotypes BARI Wheat 26, BAW 1158, Sourav, BAW 1169 and BAW 1170. Our results revealed that BARI Wheat 26, BAW 1158, Sourav, BAW 1169 and BAW 1170 were more capable to tolerate water deficit condition.

English

The genetic effect of grain yield plant-1 and its correlation with yield components were investigated in a 7 × 7 incomplete diallel cross of seven wheat parents during the crop season of 2009 to 2010. Mean square of general combining ability (GCA) effect was 2.90 for grain yield plant-1, which was highly significant (P<0.01), indicating that additive effect played important role in the inheritance of the trait. Specific combining ability (SCA) effect was highly significant (P<0.01) for grain yield plant-1 (0.68), suggesting that the trait was also controlled by non-additive effect. The estimates of GCA showed that the best combiner for grain yield plant-1 was Ningmai 9. The additive-dominance model was partially adequate for grain yield plant-1 and it was controlled by the over dominance type of gene action. Ningmai 8 possessed maximum dominant genes, whereas Yangmai 9 had maximum recessive genes. Grain yield plant-1 might be controlled by two groups of genes and exhibited moderately high value of narrow sense heritability (h2N=69.51%). The statistical analysis revealed that grain yield plant-1 was positively and significantly correlated with tillers plant-1 (rp=0.584, rg=0.595) and number of grains spike-1 (rp=0.528, rg=0.507) at phenotypic and genotypic levels. The information obtained from the study might be helpful for wheat breeders trying to develop new varieties with high-yielding potential.   Key words: Combining ability, diallel cross, grain yield, inheritance, Triticum aestivum L.

Improving water and land use efficiency of fallow-wheat system in shallow Lithic Calciorthid soils of arid region: Introduction of bed planting and rainy season sorghum–legume intercropping

In arid regions of India, wheat is conventionally planted in narrow spaced rows irrigated through flooding mostly with poor quality water followed by fallowing. To utilize these fallows for rainy season cropping and improving water use efficiency, a field experiment was carried out for three consecutive years (2009–2012) in arid zone. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two planting systems i.e. bed planting and conventional planting in main plots and five rainy season cropping systems in sub plots viz., sorghum intercropped with Sesbania (green manuring/brown manuring), green gram and cowpea in 2:2 ratio and sole sorghum replicated thrice. In the succeeding wheat crop, each plot was further sub divided into two for applying two levels of nitrogen i.e. 90 and 120kgha−1. The irrigation water for wheat was slightly saline (4.1dSm−1). Bed planting significantly improved yield of intercropped pulses i.e. green gram and cowpea by 31.8% and 27.5% over conventional planting while, yield of sorghum decreased by 13.7%. During winter season, bed planting improved number of grains spike−1 and 1000 grain weight (43.3g) that had compensated the decrease in spike density of wheat (19.2%). Bed planting saved 19–24% of irrigation and hence water productivity improved by 30%. Marked improvement in soil physical properties, dry root mass (81.5%) and nutrient status of soil i.e. soil organic carbon, available N and P was observed under this system. Salinity built up during winter season was below the threshold level for wheat and almost all the accumulated salts leached down during succeeding rainy season. Significant improvement in yield attributing characters of sorghum was observed under sorghum+green gram/cowpea intercropping system. Rainy season sorghum–legume intercropping had marked residual effect on succeeding wheat crop with maximum 19.1% yield increase being under sorghum+Sesbania (green manuring) treatment. During third crop cycle, this treatment saved 25% fertilizer nitrogen to wheat and significantly increased soil organic carbon status. However, highest system productivity and net returns were recorded under sorghum+green gram–wheat system (8265kgha−1 wheat grain equivalent yield). This was at par with sorghum+cowpea–wheat system. From the present study, it may be concluded that the productivity and water use efficiency of traditional fallow–wheat system could be increased by utilizing wheat fallow for growing sorghum+green gram/cowpea intercrops in 2:2 ratio under bed planting system.

Inheritance of Graın Yield and Its Correlation with Yield Components In Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The inheritance of grain yield plant-1 and its correlation with other yield components were investigated in a diallel cross of seven wheat parents during the crop season of 2011-2012. Mean square of GCA effect was 2.90 for grain yield plant-1, which was highly significant (P<0.01), indicating that additive effect played important role in the inheritance of the trait. SCA effect was also highly significant (P<0.01) for grain yield plant-1 (0.68), suggesting that the trait was also controlled by non-additive effect. The estimates of GCA showed that the best combiner for grain yield plant-1 was Ningmai 9. The additive-dominance model was partially adequate for grain yield plant-1 and it was controlled by the over dominance type of gene action. Ningmai 8 possessed maximum dominant genes, whereas Yangmai 9 had maximum recessive genes. Grain yield plant-1 might be controlled by two groups of genes and exhibited moderately high value of narrow sense heritability (h2N=69.51%). The statistical analysis revealed that grain yield plant-1 was positively and significantly correlated with tillers plant-1 (rp=0.584, rg=0.595) and number of grains spike-1 (rp=0.528, rg=0.507) at phenotypic and genotypic levels

Responses of Different Maturity Type Wheat’s Cultivar to Planting Date at Moderate Regions in Iran

Aims: Investigationof responses of different maturity type wheats cultivar to planting date. Study Design:A split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design with 4 replication. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out from 2007-2008 in Neyshabur agricultural research station. Methodology: Theeffect of planting date and maturity type wheats cultivar on yield components containing spike number at square meter, spike number p er spike, seed number at spikelet, seed number at spike, 1000 seed weight, economic yield and biological yield were assessed.Planting date (11 oct, 15, nov, 30nov) as a main plot andmaturity type wheats cultivar (Alamot and Mv17 9(winter type) Toos and A lvand (intermediate type) Marvedasht and Pishtaz (spring type) as sub plot. Results:The result showed that the number of tillers, number of spike, number of grains spike and biological yield was not affected by the planting date. The maximum and minimum economic yield was obtained on November 30th and October 11th, respectively. Yield components were not affected by maturity type. Wheat cultivar had a different response to planting date. With a delay in planting date, winter type had more of a decrease ineconomic yield than spring and intermediate types. Decreases of spike Original ResearchArticle

English

A field experiment was carried out during three consecutive years 2008 to 2009 and 2010 to 2011 at two locations; one at University research centre and another at farmers&rsquo; fields in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar district of western Uttar Pradesh, India. The objective of the study was to compare the conventional planting methods (22.5 cm) and broadcasting method of wheat sowing with drill planting method [15.0, 17.5, 20.0 cm and paired row (15:25 cm)] for grain yield and its parameters. The experiment comprised of six (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5 and 15:25 cm paired spaced rows and broad casting) treatments arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications in a net plot size of 13 &times; 8 m. The results over the years of the study revealed that, the germination were statistically at par in drill sowing at 17.5 cm apart rows and broadcasting. Better plant height was noted in drill planting with 17.5, 20 cm rows and 15:25 cm paired rows. However, number of spikelets spike-1 and number of grains spike-1 were statistically similar in drilling at 17.5, 20, and 15:25 cm paired apart rows. Similarly, 1000 grain weight was recorded in drill sowing at 20 cm and 15:25 cm paired rows. The maximum grain yield was obtained through 15:25 cm paired rows drill planting method and it was statistically at par with drill planting method where row spacing was 20 cm. Whereas, drill-planting techniques with row spacing 15 cm was inferior to broadcast method. It may be concluded that, 15:25 cm paired rows and 20 cm drill planting method is suitable for wheat sowing in sandy loam soils of irrigated areas of western Uttar Pradesh. &nbsp; Key words: Triticum aestivum L., planting methods, water productivity

Exogenous application of glycinebetaine and potassium for improving water relations and grain yield of wheat under drought

Compatible solutes rescue plants in the hour of intense water deficit conditions. Glycinebetaine (GB) and potassium (K) are main solutes, playing role in improving plant water potential and ultimately the crop yield. However, only a few attempts have been made so far to study their optimum dozes and interactions to ameliorate the drought stress in wheat. To explore this, GB solutions of 0, 50,100 and 150 mM concentration and K solutions of 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% concentration were sprayed at milking stage of two wheat varieties under stress (Auqab-2000; drought sensitive and Lasani-2008; drought resistant). The stress was created by withholding water up till appearance of wilting symptoms and then the solutes (alone and/or in combination) were sprayed with carboxymethyl cellulose as a sticking agent, whereas Tween-20 was used as a surfactant for foliar spray. At maturity, ten random plants from field-experiments and three in case of pot experiment were selected to estimate plant height, spike length, number of spikelets spike-1 , number of grains spike -1 , and grain yields. Besides, water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential of crop were also estimated. The results indicated that the drought stress adversely affected all the above parameters. The exogenous application of GB and K to wheat significantly improved spike length, number of grain per spike and grain yields. Moreover, a significant interaction between these solutes was observed since at a given level of GB all these yield parameters were increased (p < 0.05) with K concentration. The highest values were obtained when GB and K were applied in combination at 100 mM and 1.5%, respectively. The same treatment also improved the leaf water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential to maintain plant water potential gradient under stress. These findings lead us to conclude that application of GB and K (100 mM and 1.5%, respectively) is the best strategy to ameliorate the drought impact on wheat at milking stage with improved production.

Response of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) Cultivars to Different Tillage Practices Grown under Rice-wheat Cropping System

A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of tillage on growth and yield of two wheat cultivars sown after rice at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, and Faisalabad during the winter season 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications with a net plot size of 3.0 m × 7.0 m. The experiment comprised of two wheat cultivars with four tillage treatments viz. Zero tillage, reduced tillage (only one cultivation+hand drilling), conventional method (3 cultivation followed by planking +hand drilling) and deep ploughing (one deep ploughing with chisel plough and one cultivation followed by planking+hand drilling). Maximum grain yield was obtained in Zero tillage treatment in both cultivars as compared to all other three tillage treatments. Similarly, the spike length number of tillers, number of grains spike -1, 1000- grain weight, biological yield, and harvest index were the highest in Zero tillage. Zero tillage in wheat performed well in the entire crop data parameters and showed effectively high yield in wheat.

Genetic effects of dwarfing gene Rht-5 on agronomic traits in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and QTL analysis on its linked traits

In order to evaluate the genetic effects of Rht-5 dwarfing gene on agronomic traits in common wheat, F2 population and 32 F2:3 lines derived from the cross between Jinmai47 (rht-5) and Marfed M (Rht-5) along with the two parents were grown in the winter wheat growing seasons of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, respectively. The F2 population formed the mapping population and their phenotypic and genotypic data were merged for QTL mapping. The dwarf and tall individuals in the F2 population were selected to compose the F2:3 lines. Analysis of variance in the F2 population and F2:3 lines showed highly significant differences among individuals or lines for all of traits studied, except for biomass and grain yield. In general, in the background of Jinmai47, dwarfing gene Rht-5 was associated with a plant height reduction of 25.84%, delaying heading date by 1 day, increasing the number of fertile tillers plant−1 by 37.39%, while reducing the number of spikelets spike−1 and number of grains spike−1 by 8.07% and 22.31%, respectively. Individuals with earlier heading date, longer spikes, more spikelets spike−1, and more grains spike−1 could be observed in the dwarf lines when compared to the dwarf parent. Plant height showed highly positive and significant correlation with peduncle length (0.88), spike length (0.80), number of spikelets spike−1 (0.63), number of grains spike−1 (0.64), biomass (0.47), grain yield (0.56) and harvest index (0.37), whereas it had negative and highly significant correlation with the number of fertile tillers plant−1 (−0.64). A partial chromosomal linkage map was constructed with three polymorphic markers based on their genotypes in the F2 population. Using composite interval mapping (CIM) analysis, four QTLs were detected for plant height, heading date, peduncle length and number of grains spike−1 and accounted for up to 11.82%, 8.02%, 10.32% and 15.65% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. The results of the current study could be useful for proper use of Rht-5 dwarfing gene in breeding programs to improve lodging tolerance, yield potential in wheat and increase efficiency of marker assisted selection for agronomic traits.

Efficiency of certain clodinafop-propargyl formulations in controlling annual grassy weeds in wheat

Field experiments were conducted in 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 seasons to evaluate the effect of four post-emergence clodinafop-propargyl formulations (Topic 15% WP, Akopic 24% EC, Current 24% EC and Herstop 15% WP) and hand weeding for controlling annual grassy weeds in wheat fields. Wheat seeds were sown in 25 and 30 November in both seasons, respectively. The tested herbicides were applied 30days after sowing (DAS), while hand weeding was practiced twice (20 and 40 DAS). Fresh and dry weed biomasses (gm−2) were recorded 60 DAS, whereas length of spike (cm), weight of spike (g), weight of 1000 grain (g), number of spikelet spike−1, number of grains spike−1 and wheat grain and straw yields (kgplot−1) were determined at harvest. All the tested formulations significantly decreased weed density as well as fresh and dry weed biomasses of the annual grasses (Poa annua L., Avena fatua L., Polypogon monospeliensis L., and Lolium temulentum L.) prevailed in wheat field during both seasons. These formulations also increased all the biological parameters of wheat crop including its grain and straw yields. In this regarded, Topic (15% WP) was the most effective one followed by Akopik 24% EC, Current 24% EC and Herstop 15% WP.

Manipulation of “Surfer-8” Program as an Aid for Analysis of Cereal Crop Competition Experiments

It is difficult to establish any agronomic practice programs for wheat (Triticum durum L.) production in Kurdistan region because of unpredictable variation in rainfall. Both of seeding rate and seeding depths are important aspects of management since they can be controlled practically. This study was conducted for two basic purposes 1 st to determine the combinations of seeding rates, and depths to achieve optimum yield potential under local conditions, 2 nd to test the possibility of manipulating Surfer-8 program as an aid of data analysis. A field experiment was conducted under rainfall and complementary irrigation conditions at Ainkawa experimental station (36 o 15’ N, 43 o 50’E) during the growing season, 2009-2010. Four seeding rates 4.5 g, 6.0 g ,7.5 g and 9 g of seeds m -2 with three planting depths of 2, 4 and 6 cm for durum wheat variety “Semito”. Seeding depths and Seeding rates affected all the studied traits of tiller plant -1 flag leaf length, plant leaf, leaf area index, number of spikes m -2 , number of grains spike -1 , 1000 grain weight and yield. The highest grain yield obtained at the interaction of (4 cm depth × 7.5 g seeds m -2 ) .Surfer8-2002, and SAS -2002 programs were used efficiently in data presentation and determination of polynomial equations, correlation coefficient. We concluded that the optimal effect of seeding depth and Seeding rate on Semito wheat response does not stay on just a single result, but could have the same value through multiple combinations expressed by contour lines. The author calls to expand the usage of Surfer programs in biological studies as well as it is used already in the engineering. Abbreviations; TKW one thousand grain weight. Response; any of the studied traits.

Determining optimum rate of boron application for higher yield of wheat in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain soil

The effect of different rates of boron application on wheat cv. Bijoy was studied through a field experiment at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) farm, Mymensingh during 2009-10 rabi season. The BAU farm belongs to Old Brahmaputra Floodplain agroecological zone (AEZ 9). Texturally the soil was silt loam, with 7.2 pH, 0.81% organic matter and 0.15 mg kg-1 available boron content. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five boron rates and four replications. Boron rates were 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3.0 kg ha-1, with boric acid as a source. Every plot received blanket doses of 115 kg N, 25 kg P, 75 kg K and 15 kg S ha-1 from urea, TSP, MoP and gypsum, respectively. Treatment receiving B @ 2.25 kg ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (4.22 t ha-1) which was statistically identical with that obtained with 1.75 kg B ha-1. However, the crop response curve showed 1.90 kg ha-1 to be the optimum boron rate for the maximization of wheat yield. The lowest grain yield (2.84 t/ha) was recorded with control treatment. There was a positive relationship between grain yield and number of grains spike-1. Boron had significant influence on N, P, K, S and B uptake by the crop which, in deed, was more influenced by crop yield and less by nutrient concentration, except N and B uptake where concentration had more influence than yield. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v9i2.10987 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 9(2): 205–210, 2011