Panicle Production Research Articles

Production of Sorghum Seed and Straw Biomass for Feed as Affected by Different Harvesting Ages

This study evaluated the sorghum “Samurai Two” production for feed harvested at different times after planting during the rainy season. A randomized block design was employed with five groups and five treatments representing different harvesting ages: 90, 95, 100, 105, and 110 days after planting. The variables measured included panicle length, weight, dry weight, seed dry weight per panicle, 1000-seed weight, number of seeds, dry seed production, total fresh and dry weight of panicles, moisture content, and total fresh and dry weight of straw biomass. Harvesting between 90 and 100 DAP resulted in a higher fresh and dry panicle weight, fresh and dry biomass, seed dry weight per panicle, 1000-seed weight, and dry seed production. The optimal seed production for “Samurai Two” occurred at 90 DAP during the rainy season. Conversely, harvesting at 95 DAP significantly increased straw biomass's total fresh and dry weight, with this age being optimal for straw biomass production.

Enabling the circular nitrogen economy with organic and organo-mineral fertilisers

AbstractThe circular nutrient economy repurposes organic (formerly alive, containing organic carbon) and inorganic (mineral) recycled materials as fertilisers and soil ameliorants, and halving nitrogen (N) waste is a global goal. Our focus was unavoidable food waste and garden waste (FOGO food organics garden organics) as suitable feedstock for compost and use for cropping. We hypothesised that to realise benefits of compost, organic and organo-mineral fertilisers (OF/OMF) must be optimised for target crops and biophysical environments. We explored compost and organic recyclates (dried bacterial biomass PPB, chicken litter manure) as N sources for vegetable, fruit and grain crops in controlled experiments with single or combinations of contrasting N release and carbon-to-N ratios of 20, 13.5 (compost), 13.5 (poultry manure), 6.1 (PPB) and 0.5 (mineral N). With standardised N input (0.5–1 g N/pot and plant), compost as the sole N source resulted in less yield than all other N sources, while suitable mixtures of organic recyclates with/without added mineral N matched the yield of crops grown with mineral N. Adding 5% compost to sand growth substrate modulated crop growth and phenology, increased tillering and panicle production, or accelerated fruit ripening. This confirmed effects beyond nutrient supply, likely crop-growth modulating substances are present. Exploring effects of crop species, N source and water supply confirmed statistically significant interactions on yield, biomass and N use efficiency (NUE). This means a robust strategy for optimising OF/OMF is testing target crops with compost and recyclates to identify crop-specific responses. We recommend that applying such strategy allows manufacturers targeting N-efficient OF/OMF to service the expanding market for recyclate-based organo-mineral fertilisers and soil ameliorants for the circular N economy.

Expression of AtNF-YB1 activates early flowering, showing potential in breeding hybrid rice.

The nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) has been shown to be involved in plant growth and development in response to various environmental signals. However, the integration of these mechanisms into breeding practices for new cultivars has not been extensively investigated. In this study, the Arabidopsis gene AtNF-YB1 was introduced into rice, including inbred Kasalath and the hybrids Jinfeng × Chenghui 727 and Jinfeng × Chuanhui 907. The obtained transgenic rice showed early flowering under both natural long day (NLD) and natural short day (NSD) conditions. For the inbred Kasalath, the transgenic lines clearly showed a shorter plant height and lower grain yield, with a decrease in spike length and grain number but more productive panicles. However, the hybrids with AtNF-YB1 had much smaller or even zero reduction in spike length and grain number and more productive panicles. Thus, maintained or even increased grain yields of the transgenic hybrids were recorded under the NLD conditions. Quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the rice flowering initiation pathways were early activated via the suppression of Ghd7 induction in the transgenic rice. RNA-Seq further demonstrated that three pathways related to plant photosynthesis were markedly upregulated in both Jinfeng B and the hybrid Jinfeng × Chuanhui 907 with AtNF-YB1 expression. Moreover, physiological experiments showed an upregulation of photosynthetic rates in the transgenic lines. Taken together, this study suggests that AtNF-YB1 expression in rice not only induces early flowering but also benefits photosynthesis, which might be used to develop hybrid varieties with early ripening.

Leveraging Wheat Competition to Manage Seasonal Expansion of Feathertop Rhodes Grass (Chloris virgata)

Utilizing the potential of crops to suppress weeds is an important strategy for sustainable management. Feathertop Rhodes grass (FTR) (Chloris virgata Sw.) is a problematic warm-season weed in Australia that has recently expanded into colder seasons. This study investigated the growth and seed production of FTR at two planting times (May and July) and three wheat planting densities (0, 82, and 164 plants m−2) using a neighborhood design over two years. In both years, the plant height, tiller production, and panicle production of FTR were lower in the presence of wheat compared to when wheat was absent. Surrounding FTR with wheat delayed its pinnacle emergence, varying from 1 to 6 days in the first year and 4 to 21 days in the second year, depending on the planting date and wheat density. During both years and planting times, wheat’s presence caused approximately a 99% decrease in the dry matter and seed production of FTR compared to wheat’s absence. Additionally, the wheat height, an important competitive factor, was higher at both densities in the May planting compared to the July planting. The emergence, establishment, and continuous production of FTR seeds throughout the year indicate that inadequate management could result in the further spread of this weed. Our findings suggest that adjusting the date and density of wheat planting could be a viable strategy for sustainably managing this weed during colder seasons.

Silicon Fertilizer Addition Can Improve Rice Yield and Lodging Traits under Reduced Nitrogen and Increased Density Conditions

Reducing nitrogen fertilizer application, selecting a reasonable planting density, and adding silicon fertilizer can be used together to decrease excessive nitrogen fertilizer inputs in rice fields, reduce production costs, and ensure stable rice yield. However, the dynamics of the stem and internodes, as well as the changes in the physical and physiological characteristics of rice under a combination of these three strategies, are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify these effects to improve the efficiency of rice production in northeastern China. A 2-year field experiment was conducted using five treatments: a conventional densification treatment (DM), a densification combined with reduced N input (−20%) treatment (DLM), and three densifications combined with reduced N input (−20%) and basal silicon fertilizer treatments (low fertilizer: DLMS1; medium fertilizer: DLMS2; and high fertilizer: DLMS3). This study revealed that the addition of silicon fertilizer improved rice yield compared to that under reduced nitrogen or increased density treatments alone, prevented excessive ineffective tillering after a density increase, and increased the number of productive panicles. Among the treatments, the DLMS3 treatment had the highest yields of 10.53 t/ha and 10.73 t/ha over the 2 years. Reducing nitrogen and increasing density reduced the weight and length of single panicles, while the addition of silicon fertilizer was beneficial for improving stem toughness, improving the physical and physiological characteristics of the plants and panicles, and enhancing plant bending resistance. Among the treatments, DLMS3 had the highest bending resistance, which increased by 440.1 g and 503.8 g compared to the lowest values in the DM treatment in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Nitrogen reduction resulted in the lowest lodging index values, with DLMS3 having the lowest values in both years, which decreased by 19.6% and 22.5% compared to the highest values in DM (2020) and DLM (2021), respectively. This study indicates that the application of 150.0 kg/ha silicon fertilizer in combination with reduced nitrogen and increased density (DLMS3) reduces the lodging index while ensuring rice yield, preventing a tradeoff between yield reduction and lodging due to a density increase or due to nitrogen reduction combined with a density increase and allowing for a reduction in nitrogen fertilizer input, which could ensure a uniform yield and an increase in lodging resistance. These results provide a scientific basis for rice cultivation measures that lead to high yield and lodging resistance while protecting the environment.

The Influence Of The Use Of Organic Fertilizers On The Yield Of Mentik Wangi Rice in Rice Fields Using the BUSISRI Method

Rice is a food crop that produces staple food for the majority of the Indonesian population, one of which is in Klaten Regency. Almost all areas in Klaten Regency are planted with rice so that it becomes a food barn. However, this did not last long because the population growth rate and demand for black rice during the Covid-19 pandemic increased. In meeting the demand for white rice, especially fragrant mentik, there are still many obstacles, one of the obstacles is the land in Klaten Regency. The high cost of fertilizer, the level of consumer preference for consuming organic rice and the use of organic materials that are often found in society. To overcome this, the BUSISRI system cultivation (Unisri System Cultivation) is carried out using a method using liquid organic fertilizer. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of applying liquid organic fertilizer on mentik rice yields.The research was carried out from March to September 2023 in Dukuh Macanan, Jogosetran Village, Jogosetran Village, Kali Kotes District, Klaten Regency. This research is a type of single factor research with a Complete Randomized Block Design consisting of a single factor and will use 6 treatments and 4 replications. Data were analyzed using the F test at 5% level to determine the effect of treatment on variables. Observations continued with a DMR test at 5% level To compare the average between treatment combinations, the results of treatment with inorganic fertilizer (P1) were obtained for the highest plant height parameter, namely with an average of 58.20 cm. Treatment with inorganic fertilizer (P1) showed that the number of clump seedlings was greater, namely with an average of 13.30 stems, the inorganic fertilizer treatment (P1) showed the highest number of productive panicles with an average of 11.1 panicles, and showed a very significant difference from the treatment using Organic POC UREA (P5) and without treatment (P0) .

Optimally combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers increases grain yield and improves rhizosphere microecological properties in rice ratooning

AbstractField tests were conducted at experimental station of Chongluo, Nanping city, Fujian province, China in 2018–2019 to explore the action and physiological mechanism of organic nitrogen in rice ratooning under the configurations with different proportions of organic and inorganic nitrogen. The results showed that sole chemical fertilizer (CF) led to a significant decrease in soil nutrient availability, especially at late growth stage, and reduced grain yield of the main and ratooning crops compared with the optimal fertilizer configuration (GM2) in 30% organic nitrogen with 70% chemical nitrogen fertilizer in the premise of total application rate at 225 kg N/ha. Further studies have revealed that GM2 relative to CF treatment promoted to produce more productive panicles of the main crop and had carryover effect on the regeneration rate of ratooning rice due to national C13‐assimilates partitioning in rice–rhizosphere systems, which resulted in increased soil microbial diversity and soil fertility, thereby enhanced yields of the main and ratooning rice crops. These findings help to better understand the action and mechanism of the proper combined application of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer via improving remobilization of 13C assimilates in rice–rhizosphere system, and ultimately increasing grain yield in rice ratooning.

Effects of the configurations with different organic and inorganic fertilizers on grain yield and its related physiological traits of the main and its ratoon rice crops

The determination for properly combined application rate of organic and inorganic fertilizers is the key to coordinating soil nutrient supplies and rice growth demands, thereby obtaining improved economic and ecological returns in rice ratooning. A complete randomized block design (RCBD) trial with different configurations of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers was conducted to determine the optimal substitution rate of organic nitrogen for inorganic nitrogen and its effect on the related physiological attributes and yield performance of the main and ratoon rice crops in 2018−2019. The results showed that 30% organic and 70% inorganic nitrogen in the mixture fertilizer (GM2) could produce the best effect on root activity, nitrogen nutrient uptake and its utilization, as well as the dry matter accumulation and its partitioning. This in turn resulted in improved productive panicles and harvest index, and hence increased grain yield by 10.36% and 15.48% in GM2 regime relative to that in CF treatment. Moreover, the uptake and utilization efficiency, agronomic utilization efficiency and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer were 44.37%, 23.82 kg/kg and 48.97 kg/kg, respectively under the optimal GM2 treatment, which were much higher than those in CF treatment by 12.66%, 5.05% and 13.4%, respectively. The results suggested that properly combined application of organic and chemical nitrogen fertilizer could improve soil nutrient supply to guarantee an efficient plant growth and rational dry matter allocation, thereby increasing the harvest index and grain yield in rice ratooning.

Precise delivery of nitrogen at tillering stage enhances grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in double rice cropping systems of South China

Nitrogen fertilizer management substantially affects the growth, productivity, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice production systems. To assess the effects of precise application of nitrogen fertilizer at tillering stage as ‘tillering-fertilizer’ on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency, field trials were conducted in the late season of 2019 and 2020, in addition to a radioisotope 15 N tracer experiment. The experiment was comprised of four N fertilizer treatments i.e., no fertilizer application as a control (T1), traditional surface broadcast fertilization (90 kg N/ha as basal fertilizer and 60 kg N/ha as tillering fertilizer, T2), deep placement of tillering fertilizer (surface broadcast at 90 kg N/ha as basal fertilizer and 45 kg N/ha as tillering fertilizer at 10 cm depth, T3), deep placement of tillering fertilizer (surface broadcast at 90 kg N/ha as basal fertilizer and 30 kg N/ha as tillering fertilizer at 10 cm depth, T4) and two rice cultivars i.e., Wufengyou 615 and Yuxiangyouzhan . Results showed that grain yield remained 18.8% and 12.4% higher owing to increase in productive panicles and grain filling, 42.2% and 38.9% higher nitrogen agronomic efficiency, 4.6% and 10.4% higher nitrogen recovery efficiency, and 10.2% and 7.8% higher nitrogen physiological efficiency in T3 than T2 for Wufengyou 615 and Yuxiangyouzhan , respectively. Moreover, nitrogen derived from fertilizer in T3 was increased by 8.0% and 4.4% compared to T2 for Wufengyou 615 and Yuxiangyouzhan , respectively whereas the residual rate of T3 was increased by 31.5%. In addition, the T3 treatment substantially enhanced the leaf area index and leaf chlorophyll content that led to improved photosynthesis and the activities of enzymes related to nitrogen metabolism. Overall, 45 kg N/ha as tillering fertilizer at 10 cm depth and surface broadcast at 90 kg N/ha as basal fertilizer can improve grain yield as well as nitrogen use efficiency in late season rice production system of South China. • Precise delivery of nitrogen (PDN) at tillering stage (TS) can enhance grain yield in rice. • PDN at TS can improve nitrogen use efficiency in rice. • PDN at TS can increase nitrogen residual rate in the soil and decrease nitrogen unaccounted rate.

Yield-contributing Factors in Lowland Irrigated Rice as Affected by Variety, Water Management, and Fertilizer Rate in Agusan Soil

Rice grain yields in irrigated areas of Agusan del Norte/Sur provinces ranged at only 3.3–3.8 t/ha in 2010–2019 – hence the need to study the yield potential of varieties, appropriate water management, and optimum fertilizer rates to improve such yields. This study assessed the effects of rice varieties, water management, and fertilizer rates on grain yield and agronomic parameters. It also recommended variety, water management, and fertilizer rate for improving grain yields in Agusan soil. Screenhouse experiment was done using lowland rice soils collected from Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. The experiment was laid out in unbalanced randomized complete block design with three factors: [1] PSB Rc 18, NSIC Rc 122, and PSB Rc 82 for the variety factor; [2] continuous submergence (CS) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) for the water management factor; and [3] PalayCheck (PFR) and farmers’ fertilizer rates (FFR) for the fertilizer rate factor. Three replications each for PSB Rc 18+CS+PFR, PSB Rc 18+CS+FFR, PSB Rc 18+AWD+FFR, NSIC Rc 122+CS+FFR, NSIC Rc 122+AWD+FFR, PSB Rc 82+CS+PFR, PSB Rc 82+CS+FFR, and PSB Rc 82+AWD+FFR plus four replications each for PSB Rc 18+AWD+PFR, NSIC Rc 122+CS+PFR, NSIC Rc 122+AWD+PFR, and PSB Rc 82+AWD+PFR were employed. Data on chlorophyll (chl) levels, plant height, tiller count, and number of healthy and unhealthy leaves were gathered weekly. Yield component data, including panicle lengths and dry weight of all filled grains or grain yields, were determined before and after harvesting. Dry weight of straw and roots were also assessed. Compared with PSB Rc 82, PSB Rc 18 had a significantly higher grain yield by 9% due to enhanced protection of chloroplast structure, leading to longer leaf area duration and higher chl contents across growth stages (GSs). These contributed to an improved “sink” or significantly greater number of grains per panicle by 19% and enhanced “source” or better health status of leaves. Improved “source” increased the grain filling efficiency, resulting in a significantly higher number of filled grains per panicle by 18%, grain weight per panicle by 21%, and harvest index by 6%. In contrast with AWD, CS had a significantly higher grain yield by 7% due to higher soil nitrogen availability leading to better yield-contributing plant traits. These traits include a significantly longer vegetative stage by 3%, greater straw biomass by 9%, higher leaf chl levels, and better health status of leaves from grain filling until harvesting. Moreover, the lower number of small, unproductive tillers in CS allowed more plant resources to be used for improving the health of large, panicle-bearing tillers. Compared with FFR, PFR had a significantly higher grain yield by 18% due to a closer-to- the-optimum fertilizer rate leading to an improved “source.” Improved “source” includes the following statistically significant parameters: [1] higher number of tillers by 7–18%, greater number of healthy leaves, and higher total number of leaves throughout GSs; [2] greater biomass by 15%; [3] higher chl content from booting until grain filling stage; and [4] better health status of leaves from booting until harvesting. The closer-to-the-optimum fertilizer rate also improved the “sink,” which was the significantly higher number of productive panicles by 16% and longer panicles by 2%. The study implies that certain management practices – employing a more adapted variety, CS or PFR in Agusan soil – provides a better genetic or environmental factor, which enhances plant traits and improves grain yields. Management recommendations are as follows: [1] PSB Rc 18 should be selected over PSB Rc 82 because it is more adapted in Agusan soil, [2] CS should be preferred over AWD in a non-zinc-deficient Agusan soil, and [3] the 74-28-43-24 kg N-P2O5-K2O-S/ha PFR should be selected over the 42.0-4.5-10.5-3.8 kg N-P2O5-K2O-S/ha FFR. Variety, water management, and fertilizer rate do not have significant two- and three-way interaction effects on grain yield; hence, no specific combination of the three factors can be recommended.

Improving the productivity of upland rice through the implementation of Largo Super technology in dry land of Aceh Province

Largo Super is a technology component that was assembled into a technology package for integrated dryland rice cultivation based on jajar legowo 2:1 planting. The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in upland rice productivity with the application of Largo Super technology. This research was conducted in 1 Ha dry land at Sarah Panyang Village, Pidie Jaya Regency from September to December 2019. This study used a factorial randomized completely block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The first factor was variety (V), namely V1 = Inpago 8; V2 = Inpago 9 while the second factor is the technology package (T) which consisteds of 2 (two) factors, namely T1 = Farmer technology and T2 = Largo Super Technology. harvest (GKP) / hectare. The results showed that the Inpago 8 (V1) variety had a significant effect on plant height growth, number of tillers, number of productive panicles, number of total grains, number of empty grain and yield of tons/ha. Meanwhile, the number of tillers, panicle length and number of filled grains of Inpago 8 (V1) and Inpago 9 (V2) varieties were not significantly different. The Largo Super technology package gave the highest yield (5.09 tons ha-1) followed by the farmer technology package (3.57 tons ha-1) and there was an increase in productivity of 42.57%.

Combination of dry-wet land Preparation to Increase Plant Population and Yield under Direct Seeding Rice

Rice as a staple food for more than half of the world’s population is commonly grown by transplanting seedlings into puddled soil. Lack of labour and water crisis drive the search for alternative planting system. Direct Seeding Rice (DSR) method may significantly decrease the cost of crop establishment, however, DSR required improvement in land preparation to maintain seed germination. Combination of dry-wet land preparation using Farming Bulldozer (FB) and DSR lead to higher yield due to increasing of plant population. A field experiment was carried out in the 2020 Wet-season at ICRR to examine 2 methods of puddling and different planting system. The study was arranged in a fractional factorial design. The first factor was land preparation which were (L1): land preparation using FB and (L2): hand tractor. The second factor was crop establishment, (D1); DSR using drum seeder with iron-coated seed, (D2) DSR using drum seeder with non-coated seed and (D3): transplanting. Each treatment was set in 5000 m2, with 4 replications. The results showed that (1) combination of dry-wet land preparation and DSR iron-coated yielded at 5478 kg/ha, significantly higher compared to hand tractor (HT) and DSR-non coated seed which yielded at 3698kg/ha. (2) The key yield component that had a large influence on grain yield under direct seeding was the number of productive panicles per m2. Perfect land levelling was crucial to maintain high percentage of seeds germination leaded to sufficient number of standing crop (tiller) per area.

Optimal management of nitrogen fertilizer in the main rice crop and its carrying-over effect on ratoon rice under mechanized cultivation in Southeast China

This study attempted to clarify the carrying-over effect of different nitrogen treatments applied to the main crop on the crop population growth and yield formation of ratoon rice under mechanized cultivation in Southeast China. Based on the constant total nitrogen application amounts (225.00 kg ha−1) in the main crop, an experiment with different ratios of basal and topdressing nitrogen fertilizer (the ratio of basal fertilizer:primary tillering fertilizer:secondary tillering fertilizer:booting fertilizer at 3:1:2:4 (N1), 3:2:1:4 (N2), 3:3:0:4 (N3), and 4:3:0:3 (N4), respectively, and a control without nitrogen treatment (N0)) was set up across two consecutive years in field using hybrid rice variety Yongyou 1540 as the test materials. The results showed that the total tiller number and effective tillering percentage increased in the main crop under the N1 treatment, more nitrogen fertilizer applied in late growth stage of the main crop, and its effective tillering percentage of the main crop was the highest at up to 70.18%, which was 9.15% higher than that of conventional fertilization treatment (N4), more nitrogen fertilizer applied in early growth stage of the main crop. The same tendency was observed in leaf area index (LAI) value of the main crop and its subsequent ratoon rice, which were 16.52 and 29.87% higher, respectively, in the N1 treatment than that in the N4 treatment at the full heading stage. The same was true in the case of the transport rates of stem and sheath dry mater and the canopy light interception rates in both the main and its ratoon crops. The transport rate of stem and sheath in main crop rice under N1 treatment increased by 50.57% compared with N4 treatment. The canopy light interception rate of N1 treatment increased by 5.07% compared with N4 treatment at the full heading stage of the ratoon crop. Therefore, the total actual yield was the highest in the main and its ratoon crops under N1 treatment, averaging 17 351.23 kg ha−1 in two-year trials, which was 23.00% higher than that in the conventional fertilization treatment (N4). The results showed that appropriate nitrogen treatment was able to produce a good crop stand in the main crop, which was essential for producing a good ratoon crop population and high yield especially under mechanized cultivation with low stubble height of the main crop. The study suggested that shifting the proper nitrogen application amounts to the late growth stage of the main crop, such as N1 treatment, not only had a higher productive effect on ensuring the yield of the main crop, but also had a positive effect on the axillary bud sprouts from the stubbles for ratoon rice, resulting in an increased percentage of productive panicles and achieving the goal of one planting with two good harvests under the conditions of our study.

Elements of Plant Productivity and Biological Yield Capacity of Grain Sorghum Hybrids Depending on the Inter-row Width and Seed Sowing Rate

Sorghum is one of the most important food, fodder, and energy crops in the world. The crop is resistant to stress factors, especially moisture deficiency. This biological feature allows it to form high and stable grain yields in conditions of moisture deficiency and hot temperature. Grain sorghum has a significant advantage in terms of several physiological, biological, yield characteristics compared to other crops, but the acreage under it in Ukraine stays limited. The main reason for this is, first, the lack of varietal technologies for its cultivation with improved elements. Therefore, the study of the complex influence of the rate of sowing seeds and the width of the row spacing on the formation of productivity elements is currently a relevant area of research. The main goal of the research was to study the influence of a complex of factors: row spacing, seed sowing rates on the productivity and biological yield of sorghum grain. The research was carried out in 2019-2021 at FE “Diunis”, Kreminskyi district, Luhansk region. The scheme of the experiment: width between rows - 35, 45 and 70 cm, hybrids - Swat and Flagg, sowing rates - 100,000 pieces/ha, 140,000, 180,000 and 220,000 pieces/ha. The Flagg hybrid formed a higher panicle productivity of the main and side stem systems. As to sorghum hybrid Flagg, the grain mass from panicle of the main and lateral stems was 45.1 and 39.0 g, respectively; that of hybrid Svat were 39.5 and 31.1 g. A higher panicle productivity of hybrid Flagg was formed due to a much larger mass of 1,000 grains (by 35–40 %); sorghum hybrid Svat had a larger number of grains in panicle of both stem systems. The biological grain productivity of both stem systems was higher for sorghum hybrid Flagg – 5.87 t/ha, as compared with that of early-ripening hybrid Svat, which was equal to 4.75 t/ha.

Studying germplasm collection accessions of naked oats

Background. The breeding value of accessions from the VIR collection can be estimated only under specific climate and soil conditions. Studying such accessions helps to include them in the breeding process.Materials and methods. Forty-two accessions of naked oats of various origin were studied at the FARC of the North-East. Biochemical analysis of grain and statistical data processing using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis techniques were carried out.Results. The accessions were divided into groups according to their ripening schedule: early (up to 80 days), medium (81–84 days), and mid-late (85–89 days). High yielding genotypes were identified in each ripeness group. The plant height depended on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season (r = 0.25). The studied accessions were all classified as undersized (64.0–99.1 cm), including the reference cv. ‘Vyatsky’ (88.1 cm). A significant contribution of some panicle productivity components to an increase in yield was observed. The protein and fat content in grain determines its nutritional and energy value. The results showed a positive relationship between yield and protein content (r = 0.44). A significant negative correlation between fat content and protein content (r = –0.61) was registered. The study of naked oat accessions showed different fat content in grain across the ripeness groups.Conclusion. According to the results of the study, some accessions were identified as sources of traits useful for breeding. The following accessions were selected as the best according to a set of characters (yield, plant height, number of grains per panicle, panicle weight, protein and fat content in grain): early ‘Litovsij nagij’ (k-15234, Lithuania), ‘Gkzalon’ (k-15299, Mongolia) and ‘MF9224-164’ (k-15090, USA); medium k-15248 (local, Poland) and MF9521-281 (k-15095, USA); and mid-late ‘Bai Yan 2’ (k-15525, China), ‘Progress’ (k-15339, Russia), ‘Visit’ (k-15501, Ukraine) and ‘Mina’ (k-15192, Bulgaria).

Oat samples valuable for breeding in the forest steppe of the Ob region with the optimal combination of yield elements

The results of the study of collection oat samples of various ecological and geographical origin are presented. The experiments were carried out in Novosibirsk region in 1994-2018. The sources that combine the optimal density of the productive plant stand and the mass of grain from the panicle were identified according to the ripeness groups. There were 413 collection samples of spring oats studied from 42 countries of the world for 25 years. Collection varieties were evaluated in nurseries of the 2nd-3d year of study. To identify the best samples, a scoring evaluation system of the traits under consideration, i.e. the density of the productive plant stand and the mass of grain from the panicle, was used. Comparison of genotypes for these traits was carried out within a group of varieties with an equal score for the duration of the seedlings -wax ripeness period. The standard varieties Krasnoobsky and Rovesnik were studied for all 25 years, therefore, all years were divided into three groups according to the average biological yield of these varieties. The first group includes 5 years, in which the standard varieties formed a low yield - less than 300 g/m2. The second group includes 14 years with a standard yield of 300-600 g/m2. The third group includes 5 years with the most favorable conditions for the formation of a high biological yield - more than 600 g/m2. A significant correlation between biological productivity and panicle productivity was noted in the standard variety Krasnoobsky during the years with a medium yield and in the standard variety Rovesnik during the years with a high yield. With the traits being evaluated in points, biological productivity showed a strong positive correlation with panicle productivity in Krasnoobsky variety in all groups of years, and in Rovesnik variety only in groups of years with medium and high yield. The sources of biological productivity of oats were identified by ripeness groups: very early - VIR-14522 (Dukat, Poland); early-ripening - VIR-14223 (Ardo KR-FPTS, Czechoslovakia); mid-early - VIR-15340 (Uran, Omsk region), VIR-14729 (SG-K-93682, the Czech Republic), VIR-14588 (Gramena, Germany), VIR-14582 (Carl Theodor, Germany), VIR-15012 (Togurchanin, Tomsk region), VIR-14706 (Keeper, Great Britain), VIR-14581 (Borka, Germany), VIR-15178 (Begunok, Ulyanovsk region) and Novosibirsky 5 (Novosibirsk region); mid-ripening - VIR-14377 (Mutika 572, Omsk region), VIR-14520 (Kwant, Poland), VIR-15254 (AC Mustang, Canada), VIR-15280 (55h 2106, Moscow region) and VIR-14527 (OM 1385, Great Britain); medium-late - VIR-15065 (Irtysh 22, Omsk region), VIR-14860 (Malysh, Tyumen region) and VIR-15103 (R8N9 3037-3072, Krasnoyarsk region).

Heading Uniformity: A New Comprehensive Indicator of Rice Population Quality

Productive tiller percentage (PTP) is the only available comprehensive indicator of rice population quality. However, productive panicle number (PN) has a great effect on its characterization accuracy. Panicle exsertion is an important but difficult to describe morphological index; therefore, it cannot be easily determined. The aims of this study were to develop heading uniformity (HU), which describes the difference in the degree of rice panicle exsertion, as a new comprehensive indicator by designing a representative sampling and calculation method and exploring the relationship between HU and yield components. HU first decreased then increased after initial heading, exhibiting a single-valley curve. Adequate HU was obtained by panicle sampling on day two or three (panicle N fertilizer proportion ≤40 or >40%) after initial heading. The explanatory power of PTP for grain yield variance was markedly insufficient in low- and high-PN rice populations. Compared with the percent contribution of PTP to grain yield variance (12.32–41.26%), that of HU (49.02–61.93%) was greater and more stable across rice populations of different PNs. Moreover, HU showed fewer interannual variations, despite large interannual differences in weather and soil conditions. Hence, HU may have applications as a comprehensive indicator of rice population quality.

STUDY OF THE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS IN A COLLECTION OF AUTUMN OAT (AVENA SATIVA L.) GENOTYPES

The aim of the research was to study the correlations between the main morphological characters pursued in the autumn oat breeding programs. The study was conducted over three years, in field conditions, the observations being made by bioemetric measurements on the plant height and the morphological components of the plant productivity. The biological material consisted of 73 winter oats genotypes, the experimental data being collected from all genotypes. The interpretation of the results was made by establishing the correlation coefficients, the analysis of the variance of multiple regression and establishing the “path” coefficients. The studies show that the height of the plant is in a linear relationship with the other characters except for the length of the panicle and the number of grains in the panicle. The number of fertile tillers does not correlate with the components of the panicle. The number and weight grains in the main panicle, the weight of the grains in the secondary panicles and the weight of the grains per plant are in a very significant positive correlation. Approximately 81.04% of the main panicle production is due to the number of grains in the panicle. The analysis of variance for multiple regressions shows that 92.65% of the variability of grain weight per plant is due to the influence of other characters. The highest contributions are presented by the weight of the grains in the secondary panicles (44.45%), the weight of the grains in the main panicle (42.27%), the number of grains in the main panicle (9.26%). According to the “path” coefficients, the weight of the grains on the plant is influenced by the weight of the grains in the secondary panicles (P = 0.743) and the weight of the grains in the main panicle (P = 0.416), but very little by the other characters.

Response on Uptake of Nutrients and on Grain Yield from Rice Husk Biochar Application on Oryza sativa L. Grown in a Low Yielding Granary Area of Tanjung Karang, Selangor, Malaysia

Rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) production plays a major role in enhancing food security in Malaysia. Lower rice yield and improper soil management practices have raised serious concerns about rice cultivation in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to examine the short-term effects of rice husk biochar (RHB) application on rice yields production on low yielding area for two crop cycles. RHB was applied at the rates of 0, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>. Rice husk biochar was applied one week before rice seeds, of variety MR 263, were directly seeded. Results of the study showed that RHB significantly increased grain yield by 44% and 46% in first and second crop cycles, respectively, as compared to the control treatment. Likewise, RHB amended plots showed significant improvement of rice yield components, viz. productive tiller, panicle length, and weight per panicle, than those of the control plots in the first and second crop cycles. Furthermore, RHB significantly increased nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake by 17%, 18%, 29%, respectively, in the first crop cycle, and 26%, 23%, 110%, respectively, in the second crop cycle. RHB application also significantly improved soil available P, exchangeable K and exchangeable Mg in the two crop cycles. Another interesting finding was that the use of RHB reduced soil total carbon loss by 4% to 12% compared with 19% by the control treatment. These findings suggest that RHB can potentially be used as a soil amendment to increase rice yield production, enhance soil nutrient availability and nutrient uptake, as well as reduce carbon losses especially during drought period.

Combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticide increases organic red rice yield and reduces the Leptocorisa acuta population

Abstract. Hoesain M, Prastowo S, Suharto, Pradana AP, Asyiah IN, Alfarizy FK, Adiwena M. 2021. Combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticide increases organic red rice yield and reduces the Leptocorisa acuta population. Biodiversitas 22: 1686-1694. Organic red rice production faces similar constraints as conventional rice production, namely pest attacks, especially rice earhead bugs (Leptocorisa acuta). The use of synthetic chemical inputs is also not allowed in organic red rice production. This problem can be overcome with the application of botanical pesticides, but the use of botanical pesticides do not promote plant growth. As a solution, a combination formula of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides is required. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria with botanical pesticides in increasing the growth and yield of organic red rice plants and reducing the rice earhead bug population. The research was conducted on organic agricultural land in Jember Regency, Indonesia. The research began with the extraction of botanical pesticides from the leaves of Azadirachta indica, Aglaia odorata, and Ageratum conyzoides using 96% ethanol. The bacterial isolates obtained and characterized in previous studies were tested for their compatibility and cell viability in the combination formula. The field experiment was conducted with 8 treatments, 3 replications, and each replication consisted of 150 rice plants. The randomization pattern followed a randomized block design pattern. The results showed that all bacteria were compatible when combined with 20% botanical pesticides. In addition, cell viability at 3 months of storage decreased, but not significantly. In the organic rice growth variable, all combinations of bacteria with botanical pesticides showed good performance to increase the plant growth. Increased plant growth occurred in the number of tillers, plant height, and the number of productive panicles. Furthermore, yield variables, fresh seed weight per panicle, dry seed weight per panicle, and weight of 1000 seeds also increased significantly after being treated with a combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides. The decline in the rice earhead bug population also occurred in all plants treated using botanical pesticides either singly or in combination. The best treatments in this study were BS01 and PD01, which showed consistent results. This study provides information that the combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides is compatible, does not cause a high number decrease of bacterial cells at a shelf-life of 3 months, and can stimulate the growth and yield of organic red rice, and can suppress rice earhead bug populations.