Plant Tiller Number Research Articles

Response of nitrogen and foliar spray of nutrient mixture on yield attributes and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen and foliar spray of nutrient mixture on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The obtained data showed that both grain and straw yield, and different yield attributing characters viz., number of spikes plant-1, spike weight and grain spike-1 were significantly maximum with application of 120 kg Nha-1 and the least with application of 30 kg Nha-1. Foliar spray of 2% DAP + 1% KCl + nutrient mixture (F2) significantly increased the periodic plant height , dry weight plant-1 and number of tillers plant-1 over 2% DAP + 1% KCl + 100 ppm maleic hydrazide (F4). Foliar spray of 2% DAP + 1% KCl + 100 ppm salicylic acid 100 ppm (F3) and 2% DAP + 1% KCl (F1) also recorded significantly higher values of these growth characters over F4 treatments. Both grain and straw yield and different yield contributing characters viz., spikes plant-1, spike weight, grains spike-1 and test weight were significantly higher with foliar spray of 2% DAP + 1% KCl + 100 ppm nutrient mixture (F2) and significantly least with foliar spray of 2% DAP + 1% KCl + 100 ppm maleic hydrazide (F4). Key words: Nitrogen, nutrient mixture, foliar spray, yield and yield attributes.

Synthetic polyploid production of Miscanthus sacchariflorus,Miscanthus sinensis, and Miscanthus x giganteus

AbstractPlants from the genus Miscanthus are potential renewable sources of lignocellulosic biomass for energy production. A potential strategy for Miscanthus crop improvement involves interspecific manipulation of ploidy levels to generate superior germplasm and to circumvent reproductive barriers for the introduction of new genetic variation into core germplasm. Synthetic autotetraploid lines of Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis, and autoallohexaploid Miscanthus x giganteus were produced in tissue culture from oryzalin treatments to seed‐ and immature inflorescence‐derived callus lines. This is the first report of the genome doubling of diploid M. sacchariflorus. Genome doubling of diploid M. sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, and triploid M. x giganteus to generate tetraploid and hexaploid lines was confirmed by stomata size, nuclear DNA content, and chromosome counts. A putative pentaploid line was also identified among the M. x giganteus synthetic polyploid lines by nuclear DNA content and chromosome counts. Comparisons of phenotypic performance of synthetic polyploid lines with their diploid and triploid progenitors in the greenhouse found species‐specific differences in plant tiller number, height, and flowering time among the doubled lines. Stem diameter tended to increase after polyploidization but there were no significant improvements in biomass traits. Under field conditions, M. x giganteus synthetic hexaploid lines showed greater phenotypic variation, in terms of plant height, stem diameter, and tiller number, than their progenitor lines. Production of synthetic autopolyploid lines displaying significant phenotypic variation suggests that ploidy manipulation can introduce useful genetic diversity in the limited Miscanthus germplasm currently available in the United States. The role of polyploidization in the evolution and breeding of the genus Miscanthus is discussed.

Genetic variability for yield and related attributes of upland rice genotypes in semi arid zone (Sudan)

Thirteen genotypes of upland rice were evaluated at White Nile Research Station Farm, Kosti, of the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Wad Medani Sudan for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). The objectives of this study were to estimate the genotypic and phenotypic variability, broad sense heritability for maturity, morphological and yield associated traits. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance were recorded for number of tillersplant-1 and plant height in both seasons. High heritability estimates (>85%) were recorded for plant height, number of tillersplant-1 and 1000 grain weight in both years and high heritability estimates with low genetic advance observed for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity in both years. The high yielding genotypes were WAB891 SG14, WAB981 SG33 and Yunlu No.30 with grain yields of 3.6, 3.5 and 3.4 tha1, respectively. Grain yield tha-1 was significantly and negatively correlated with percent of unfilled grains/panicle. However, it was highly significantly and positively correlated with panicle length, number of tillersplant-1, number of filled grainspanicle-1 and 1000 grain weight in both seasons. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of tillersplant-1, 1000 grain weight, panicle length and number of filled grainspanicle-1 were most directly related traits to grain yield tha-1. Traits such as panicle length, number of tillersplant-1, number of filled grainspanicle-1 and 1000 grain weight could be useful as index traits for improving the total grain yield. Furthermore, our results suggest that selection for plant height, number of tillersplant-1 and 1000 grain weight would be more effective as compared to other traits in boosting yield performance of upland rice genotypes. Key words: Upland rice, yield component, genotypic and phenotypic variability, path coefficient analysis, broad sense heritability.

Character association and inheritance studies of different sorghum genotypes for fodder yield and quality under irrigated and rainfed conditions

Cyanide poisoning is the major problem in sorghum fodder. This poisoning results in livestock mortality and causes economic loss to the people. Some work have been reported on quantity but little work has been focused on quality especially the cyanide content in sorghum fodder in Pakistan. Inheritance mechanism for some fodder yield and quality traits were studied among 25 sorghum genotypes under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Highly significant genotypic as well as genotype x location differences were observed for all the characters studied. Highest genotypic and phenotypic variances were observed for plant height, fresh weight plant-1, green fodder yield and total cyanide content. Green fodder yield, dry matter yield, fresh weight plant-1, dry weight plant-1 and total cyanide content depicted high heritability estimates along with high expected genetic advance. There were strong positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations between green fodder yield and number of tillers plant-1 stem thickness, fresh weight plant-1, dry weight plant-1 and dry matter yield. Strong negative genotypic and phenotypic correlations were observed between total cyanide content and number of tillers plant-1, stem thickness, fresh weight plant-1, dry weight plant-1 and green fodder yield. The present study indicates that the indirect selection and simultaneous improvement in sorghum fodder yield as well as quality is feasible because of significant relationship among traits. Key words: Correlation-fodder yield-genetic advance-heritability-hydrocyanic acid, quality traits-Sorghum bicolor.

MORFOGÊNESE DE Trachypogon vestitus SUBMETIDO À QUEIMA, DURANTE O PERÍODO SECO, NOS CERRADOS DE RORAIMA

The effects of plant regrowth age (21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 days) on dry matter (DM) yield, and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Trachypogon vestitus, submitted to burning, during dry season, were evaluated under natural field conditions. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replications. Evaluations were carried out during the period from December 2009 to February 2010. DM yields, absolute growth rate, number of tillers/plant (NTP), number of leafs/plant (NLP), leaf area, leaf senescence and elongation rates and blade length (BL) increased consistently with growth stage (P<.05). The relations among DM yield, forage production rate, NTP, NLP and BL with plants regrowth age were described by the quadratic regression model and the maximum values were estimated at 64.8; 42.3; 59.6; 61,8 and 59.4 days of regrowth, respectively. The crop growth and relative growth rates, tiller and leaf appearance rates were inversely proportional to plant age.KEYWORDS: dry matter; leaves; morphogenesis; plant age; tillering.

Effect of Weed Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Transplanted Lowland

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2010, to study the effect of weed management practices on weed control, growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L) under lowland conditions. The treatments consisted of pre-emergence application of butachlor and metsulfuron methyl along with post-emergence application of 2, 4-D EE or conoweeding at 20 DAT, which was compared to two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAT and control. Among the herbicidal treatments, pre – emergence application of metsulfuron methyl at l 6 g ha -1 + post emergence spray of 2, 4-D EE at 500 g ha -1 recorded the least weed density (81.32 m -2 ), weed biomass (30.68 m-2 ) and maximum weed control efficiency (76.68%) in rice. Among the growth parameters of rice, maximum plant height (88.07 cm), plant dry weight (63.40 g), number of tillers plant -1 (22.1) and crop growth rate (0.951 g m -2 day -1 ) were recorded under the aforesaid treatment. Better yield attributes, higher grain yield (5.01 t ha -1 ), harvest index (39.10 %), net return ( 36235 ha -1 ) and benefit: cost ratio (2.02) of rice were recorded under the same treatment.

Response to Methods of Cultivation and Fertility Levels on Growth and Yield of Hybrid Rice

A field experiment was conducted during kharif and summer seasons of 2010-2011 at ZARS, V.C. Farm, Mandya to study the influence of methods of cultivation and fertility levels on growth and yield of rice hybrids. The experiment consists of 18 treatment combinations involving methods of cultivation (SRI and conventional method of planting), rice hybrids (KRH- 2, KRH-4 and Arize (6444) and fertility levels (100 % RDF, 125 % RDF and 150 % RDF) were laid out in double split- plot design with three replications. Higher plant height, more number of leaves plant -1 , more number of tillers plant -1 , higher leaf area and higher dry matter production plant -1 , more number of panicles m -2 , higher panicle weight g m -2 were recorded in SRI method of rice cultivation with rice hybrid Arize (6444) at 150 % RDF compared to conventional method of planting. SRI method of planting recorded significantly higher grain yield (7717 kg ha -1 ) and straw yield (8554 kg ha -1 ) with rice hybrid arize (7808 kg ha -1 ) compared to KRH-2 (7260 kg ha -1 ) and KRH-4 (7504 kg ha -1 ) at 150 % RDF (7821 kg ha -1 ) than other treatments in the trial.

Ecological adaptation of root architecture to grassland degradation in <I>Potentilla acaulis</I>

Aims Our objectives were to 1) examine the ecological adaptability of Potentilla acaulis to grassland degrada- tion from the perspective of root architecture, 2) reveal why it can be a dominant species in extremely degraded grassland and 3) discuss its important roles in vegetation restoration or succession and preventing grassland from desertification. Methods We collected relatively complete P. acaulis roots by trenching. The numbers of first vertical roots, length of horizontal root tillering and number of plant tillers were recorded in the field. The root analysis system of WinRHIZO was used to determine total root length, root surface area, total root volume, root average diameter, number of furcations, average branching angle, number of root axes, length of root axes, number of root tips, number of first lateral roots, length of first lateral roots, number of secondary lateral roots, length of secondary lateral roots, root diameters along root length, root surface area and root volume. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis. Important findings In degraded grassland typified by Stipa grandis, the function of P. acaulis became more important in the community and its root range, root depth, the number of first vertical roots, the number of plant tillers and the length of horizontal root tillering increased significantly. The parameters of root surface area, length of secondary lateral roots, total root length and the number of furcations explained the adaptability of P. acaulis to grassland degradation. Roots with a diameter <2 mm had a significant effect on root surface area and total root length of single plants of P. acaulis. The three-dimensional root architecture of a broad-waist-inverted centrum was an advantageous configuration for P. acaulis to adapt for grassland degradation and can explain P. acaulis as a

Survey of chemical manure on morphological traits in Iranian Aloe vera

This experiment was conducted at the Institute of National Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Iran to evaluate the effect of different amount of fertilizers on the leaf and plant characteristics, as well as the yield characteristics of Aloe vera . There were 6 different treatments viz., T 1 = 100% soil (control), T 2 = 100 PK (50% P + 50% K), T 3 = 50% K + 50% soil, T 4 = 50% N + 50% soil, T 5 = 150% NPK (50% N + 50% P + 50% K), T 6 = 50% P + 50% soil. It was observed that the plant produced the highest mature leaf length and number of tillers plant-1 and maximum leaf weight as well as maximum weight of largest leaves with the application of 50% P + 50% K (T 2 ). Different plant characters such as mature leaf breadth and breadth of the largest leaf was also found to be high with T 5 treatment when compared with the control (100% soil). The number of leaves was also significantly affected by different fertilizer treatments where the maximum effect was noticed at early stages with T 4 (50% N). It was revealed that T 3 had a little effect on the number of leaves of A. vera over chemical fertilizer. Key words : Aloe vera, fertilizer, morphological traits, leaf growth.

Genotypic and phenotypic interrelationships among yield and yield components in Egyptian bread wheat genotypes

Two field experiments were conducted in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 growing seasons at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Ten Egyptian bread wheat genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications and evaluated for eight characters. The aim was to study the phenotypic and genotypic correlations and genotypic path analysis for grain yield and yield components. Highly significant differences were observed among genotypes for all the eight studied traits. Statistical analysis showed that genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients in most of the traits. The results revealed positive association in between number of tillers plant-1, number of spikelets spike-1, spike length, number of grains spike-1 and 1000 grain weight with grain yield plant-1 at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. However, days to 50% heading and plant height contributed negatively towards grain yield at both levels. Path analysis showed that maximum positive direct effect on grain yield plant-1was contributed mostly by number of grains spike-1, followed by number of tillers plant-1and 1000-grain weights were the major contributors towards grain yield. Since these three characters had high correlation and also high direct effect thus direct selection for these three characters should be of a major concern for a plant breeder. It was, therefore, suggested that number of grains spike-1, number of tillers plant-1 and 1000-grain weight should be given emphasis for future wheat yield improvement programs. Key words: Wheat, variability, phenotypic and genotypic correlation, path coefficients, yield, yield components.

Determining sucrose recovery in Saccarrum officinarum L. using regression and correlation analyses

Fourteen genotypes of sugarcane, Saccharium officinarum (L.), were evaluated for twelve characters and analyzed for genotypic correlation, phenotypic correlation and coefficients of determination were calculated through stepwise regression analysis to construct the regression models for selection of better sugarcane types. High variation was observed for all the characters including sucrose contents. Varying degrees of correlation coefficients were observed, genotypic being of higher magnitude that indicated the genotypic influence for determining a particular trait. Stepwise regression analysis showed the effects of individual characters and the effects in combination contribute the maximum variation (36.0%) to sucrose percentage while two variable model using internodal length and number of tillers plant -1 that accounts for maximum variation of 40.1%. Variation for sucrose content on single factor basis was caused by tillers, therefore, this character was the most important to increase overall sucrose of S. officinarum L. However, second variable model exhibited that tillers and internodal length were important traits for increasing overall sucrose in sugarcane.

SIGNIFICANCE OF N-BIOFIXATION AND FOLIAR SPRAY WITH Zn AND Co ELEMENTS FOR IMPROVING FABA BEAN PRODUCTIVITY UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS OF MIDDLE NILE DELTA AREA, EGYPT

A field experiment was conducted on a clayey soil during twosuccessive winter seasons of 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 at Damas village, MitGhamer district, El Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt to evaluate the effectivenessof seed inoculation with rhizobium and foliar spray with zinc and cobalt onfaba bean (Vicia faba L.) yield and its components as well as seed protein andnutrient contents. Zinc and cobalt sulphates were applied at three rates of 0,250 and 500 mg L-1 for Zn and 0, 15 and 25 mg L-1 for Co. Yield and itscomponents (i.e., number of tillers plant-1), number & dry weight of nodulesand nitrogenase activity of root nodules plant-1 at two investigated periods of45 and 70 days from sowing as well as number of pods plant-1, grain contentsof protein and elements (i.e., N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu & Co). Soil content ofavailable nitrogen forms (NH4+ and NO3-) after 70 days from sowing and atharvest were taken into consideration in this study.The obtained data show that seed inoculation with rhizobiuminoculation and foliar spray with Zn and Co led to a significantly increased ineach of tiller plant-1, number of pods plant-1, grain protein, grain and strawyields in kg fed-1. A parallel trend was occurred for the positive effect of theapplied treatments on faba bean grain contents of N, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Co,however, the greatest values were achieved at the highest rates of 500 and 25mg L-1 of Zn and Co, respectively. On the other hand, no changes wereobserved for grain content of P by increasing the applied Zn and Co rates,may be due to the antagonism between Zn and P.As for the beneficial effects of the applied treatments on the availablenitrogen content in the experimental soil, data show that seed rhizobiuminoculation as well as Zn and Co as foliar application resulted in a noticeableincrease for available content of nitrogen forms (NH4+ and NO3-) at bothinvestigated periods of 70 days after sowing and at harvest as compared to thecontrol treatment. At the same times, it is noticed that the available N-formsgave the greatest values at 70 days after sowing as well as in case of Znfoliarly as compared to at harvest and case of Co. This was true, since suchincrease was more closely to the nitrogenase activity. It is noteworthy tomention that seed inoculation and Zn or Co foliar application showed aparallel trend for the pronounced increases of all tested plant and soilparameters as compared to the control treatment under both studied growingseason conditions. So, it could be said that the residual effect of N-biofixation in the soil after harvest leading to rationalize use of N-mineralfertilizers for the next crop, which is surplus point for sustainable agriculturesystem.

EFFECT OF PLANTING DATES ON GROWTH AND OIL YIELD OF WILD MINT (Mentha longifolia, L.) PLANTS

This investigation was carried out in the two successive seasons of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 to study the favorable months for planting wild mint. The results indicated that plant height, number of tillers plant-1, number of branches tillers-1and fresh and dry weights of herb increased during Oct., Nov and Dec months compared with the other planting months. Also, chemical constituent i.e. chlorophyll a, b and total, carotenoids, total soluble carbohydrates concentration and oil yield were increased. On the other hand, delaying the flowering date was recorded in these months. Hence, it may be recommended to cultivate wild mint plants in Oct., Nov. and Dec. months under conditions of Fayoum governorate to obtain economical yield of herb and oil.

Variability, correlation and path co-eeficient analysis for yield and its components in rice

Direct selection based on crop yields is often a paradox in breeding programmes because yield is a complex polygenically inherited character, influenced by its component traits. Breeding programmes should, therefore, take into consideration character association of various component traits with yield and among themselves. In this study, fourteen rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes at the Gezira Research Station Farm (GRSF), Sudan were assessed for genetic variability and correlations between yield and yield components among phenotypic markers and polygenic trait analysis. A wider genetic variability was observed among the genotypes for most of the characters studied. The highest genotypic coefficient of varation was recorded for grain yield, percent unfilled grain panicle-1, number of grains panicle-1 and number of filled grain panicle-1. Phenotypic correlations between grain yield and number of filled grain panicle-1, number of panicle m-2 and 1000 grain weight were 0.52, 0.36 and 0.27, respectively. These results suggested that improvement in yield could be attained by selecting rice plants for higher number of filled grain panicle-1, number of panicle m-2, and 1000 grain weight. The path analysis revelead that number of filled grains panicle-1 had direct positive (0.87) contribution to the grain yield ha-1 and positive (0.33) indirect effect on grain yield ha-1 through days to 50% maturity and number of grains panicle-1 (0.089); while number of filled grains per particle had negative (-0.30) and (-0.21) indirect effect on grain yield ha-1 through number of tillers plant-1 and number of panicles m-2, respectively. The relative contribution of characters towards variability and results of correlation and path coefficient indicated the importance of number of grain panicle-1, number of filled grain panicle-1 and number of panicle m-2. Genotypes having these characters would offer a good possibility for the improvement of rice through conventional selection.

Comparative defoliation tolerance of temperate perennial grasses

AbstractThe defoliation tolerance of cultivars of four temperate perennial pasture grasses, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, cv. Yatsyn1), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae cv. Demeter) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Porto), was determined under controlled conditions over a period of 12 weeks. Undefoliated plants were compared with defoliated plants, where only half of one leaf was left intact at the initial defoliation, and leaf regrowth was harvested every 3–4 d. The growth responses measured were plant tiller number, dry weight, relative leaf regrowth rate, root:shoot ratio, sheath:stem ratio and specific leaf weight. All species showed morphological adaptations that potentially increased their ability to tolerate defoliation (e.g. increased allocation to shoot at the expense of roots and lower specific leaf weights) but cocksfoot was found to be the most defoliation‐tolerant and perennial ryegrass the least. The adaptation that favoured cocksfoot most strongly was high sheath:stem ratio, which, it is proposed, allowed it to maintain photosynthesis and a level of carbon supply sufficient to support regrowth throughout the experiment. The strategy of perennial ryegrass which favours leaf growth and leads to rapid leaf turnover rates made it particularly susceptible to defoliation under the conditions of this experiment. This highlights the likely importance of defoliation‐avoidance responses in explaining the well‐known grazing resistance of this species. Phalaris and tall fescue showed responses that were intermediate between the other two species. The importance of defoliation‐avoidance mechanisms and implications for grazing management are discussed.

ESTIMATION OF GENE ACTION AND HERITABILITY FOR SOME CHARACTERS IN DURUM WHEAT

Eight varieties of durum wheat were used in a complet diallel cross involving dialer cross involving, Leeds, Waha, Um-Rabie5, Azagar1, Um-Rabie 3,Brashua, Cyprus1 and Korfila to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene effect through variance components and graphical analysis for heading time, flag leaf area, maturity time, plant height, biological yield, number of tillers plant, number of spikes plant, grain yield, harvest index, 100 - grain weight, number of grains spike and grains protein contents. The additive variance was found to be significant for all characters, and dominance for the most characters, estimation of the additive variances were relatively higher than the additive one for heading time, flag leaf area, plant height and biological yield, while the reverse for others. Narrow sense heritability values ranged from 7.5% for harvest index to 86.2% for flag leaf area, and the ghraphic analysis revealed to the over dominance for plant height and biological yield whereas, partial dominance for the remnant. The genetic variability among varaieties for the most characters suggesting the recurrent selection for exploiting prevalent types of gene action in order to evolve a superior varieties of durum wheat

Canopy development and tillering of field‐grown crops of two contrasting cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in response to CO2 and temperature

Summary.Elevated CO2 (691 cf. 371 /miol CO2 mol‐1 air) and warmer temperatures (over the range 1.0UC below to 1.6oC above ambient) increased light interception by crops of two contrasting cultivars (Hereward and Soissons) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during winter growth in the field. The fractional interception of light by the canopy increased more rapidly initially in Soissons than in Hereward, but Hereward showed a much greater response to CO2 (35% increase in Hereward but only 7% in Soissons) at 500oCd after sowing. By terminal spikelet formation, in contrast, fractional interception was greater in Hereward than in Soissons, while the effect of CO2 was the same in both cultivars (9%). Thus, although differences in the relative response of canopy development to CO2 were detected between cultivars initially, differences were negligible during later development. The greater interception of light by the canopy in elevated CO2, at any one temperature, resulted from increased tillering. The number of tillers plant“‘ at terminal spikelet was a linear function of main stem dry mass at this developmental stage but with a greater response in elevated CO2, viz 2.3 and 3.8 tillers g‐1 main stem dry mass at 371 and 691 /μmol CO2 mol‐1 air, respectively; these relations were unaffected by cultivar.

Effect of saline irrigation on germination and growth parameters of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) in a pot experiment

The effect of saline irrigation was investigated on germination and growth parameters of six barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars in a pot experiment. The crop germination decreased between 24–35% with irrigation water having EC of 9.26 dS m −1, 28–47% with water EC of 13.4 dS m −1 and 30–53% with water EC of 16.28 dS m −1 among various cultivars. The sequence of reduction in germination was Hassawi > Gusto > Madini > M. Khariji > Qassimi. Plant height and total number of plant tillers decreased significantly with increasing irrigation-water salinity. Plant height ranged between 39.43 cm (Qassimi cultivar) with water EC of 3.00 dS m −1 to 1.97 cm (Gusto) with water EC of 16.28 dS m −1 whereas the range for total number of plant tillers per pot was 77.00 (Qassimi) with irrigation EC of 3.00 dS m −1 to 9.67 (Gusto) with irrigation EC of 16.28 dS m −1. The trend of reduction in plant height for different cultivars was Gusto > Qassimi > Hassawi > Madini > M. Khariji whereas for plant tillers, the sequence was Gusto < Hassawi < M. Khariji < Qassimi < Madini. Greenmatter and drymatter yield decreased significantly with increasing irrigation water salinity. The greenmatter yield ranged between 138.67 g per pot (Madini) with water EC of 3.00 dS m −1 to 11.40 g per pot (Gusto) with water EC of 16.28 dS m −1. A similar trend was found for drymatter yield. The trend of reduction in yield among various cultivars (both greenmatter and drymatter) was Gusto > Hassawi > M. Khariji > Qassimi > Madini. Overall sequence of salt tolerance for different barley cultivars was Madini > Qassimi > M. Khariji > Hassawi > Gusto. A comparison of cultivars indicated that irrigation waters with EC 13.40 dS m −1 and above reduced crop germination and greenmatter production to a significant level. In conclusion, there exists a lot of potential for a reasonable production of barley as forage crop with irrigation water having salinity up to 9.26 dS m −1 provided 15% extra water above crop-water requirement is applied as leaching requirements to control soil salinity.

The effect of seedbed design on sorghumproduction in an arid environment

This paper discusses the effects of three different seedbed designs (furrow, ridge, and flatbed) on the production of sorghum under the harsh arid environment of the Sultanate of Oman. The demand for forage crops has risen significantly during the past decade in the Sultanate coinciding with the dramatic increase in milk- and meat-producing animals. Techniques for tillage of the seedbed have also changed with the introduction of new types of agricultural machinery for production of forage crops. Research relative to tillage techniques for seedbed preparation for the production of forage crops is required to meet the rising demand. The results of this study indicate that sorghum samples planted and grown on the ridge yielded the highest results relative to all categories; number of leaves, number of tillers, root length, plant height, and fresh and dry weight. It produced significantly higher mean results in the categories of root length, plant height, and fresh and dry weight compared with both the flatbed and furrow tillage method. Sorghum samples from the flatbed treatment area significantly outperformed sorghum samples from the furrow treatment area relative to the mean number of plant tillers, and mean fresh weight and mean dry weight. Sorghum samples from the furrow treatment area had significantly more leaves than samples from the flatbed treatment area.

Influence of Nitrogen Application and Stage of Harvesting on the Dry Matter Production of Sorghum Sudanense-Lablab purpureus Mixtures in Central Sudan

SUMMARYThe effects of cropping system, nitrogen application and harvesting stage on the quantity and quality of the forage produced by Sudan grass-lablab mixtures were studied in central Sudan. Mixing increased the number of tillers plant-1 of Sudan grass and the plant dry weight of both crops. Application of nitrogen increased the number of tillers and dry weight plant-1 of Sudan grass but had no significant effect on the growth parameters of lablab. Growth parameters of both crops were appreciably increased by harvesting at the milk-ripe stage of Sudan grass. The largest total dry matter yield was obtained from a mixture of 20 kg Sudan grass and 40 kg lablab ha-l, but the largest protein yield was obtained from sole lablab.Nitrógeno en combinaciones de sorgo sudanés y Lablab purpureus