Cereal Crop Production Research Articles

Current State and Limiting Factors of Wheat Yield at the Farm Level in Hubei Province

Longitudinal wheat yields in China have declined in recent times due to climate change, more frequent natural disasters, and suboptimal agronomic management. To date, it has been unclear which factors have predominated yield penalties realised hitherto in Hubei Province. This study aimed to identify key factors limiting wheat production across systems and agroecological regions, and provide a basis for increasing crop production while engendering food security. Survey data from 791 households in Hubei Province were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Significant spatial heterogeneity in average wheat yields was observed, with the Jianghan Plain region having significantly lower yields compared with the northwest region (yield gap: 1125 kg·hm−2). Dryland wheat had higher average yields than rice-rotation wheat (yield gap: 134 to 575 kg·hm−2). Socioeconomic factors, cultivation management measures, and environmental factors contributed differently to yield differences. Input costs and economic benefits were key social factors influencing wheat production. Variation in management were mainly attributed to planting methods, while soil fertility and climatic factors limited yields in some regions. In the northwest, low soil fertility and susceptibility to drought and high temperatures had greater influence on yields. In the Jianghan Plain, soil waterlogging and erosion were key challenges. Waterlogging increased the probability of low yields by 8.6 times, while severe soil erosion increased probability of yield loss by a factor of almost five. Low-yield farms in the Jianghan Plain were 21% higher than those in the northwest. Extreme weather events also contributed to low yields in the Jianghan Plain. We note significant potential for increasing farm-level wheat production in Hubei Province, with large existing differences across agro-ecological regions and planting modes. Differences in cultivation practices was a major driving factor of yield gaps between planting modes, while soil fertility and meteorological disasters drive regional yield differences. These results have implications for those aspiring to narrow the yield gap across regions and increase production of cereal crops.

Rural household food security status and its determinants in Libokemkem woreda of the Amhara region, North Western Ethiopia

The study analyses the household food security situation in Libokemkem woreda of the Amhara region in Ethiopia using 285 randomly selected sample households. The Household Calorie Acquisition (HCA) is used to measure the diet quantity aspect of food insecurity, and 225 kg/year/AE is used as a food security threshold. The Household Diet Diversity Score (HHDDS) is used to measure the diet quality aspect of food insecurity, and consuming four food groups is used as a food security line. Approximately 83 per cent of the total households achieved minimum food security status in terms of diet quantity, and 64 per cent were food secure in terms of diet quality. Determinants of food security in terms of diet quantity and quality were analysed using Tobit and logit regression models, respectively. Sex, family size, farm size, number of oxen, expenditure on agricultural technology, agroecology zone and distance from market centre are statistically significant determinants of food security in terms of diet quantity. On the other hand, sex, education status, off-farming activities, livestock ownership and agroecology zone are statistically significant determinants of food security in terms of diet quality or diversity. The study suggested the urgency of human capital development, increasing the production and productivity of major cereal crops, and promoting labour-intensive rural employment opportunities to break the vicious circle of poverty and food insecurity. It also suggested the promotion of soil and water conservation, livestock rearing and the use of organic fertiliser in highland areas, while mechanised farming for major crops such as rice, onion, chickpea, tomato and garlic is recommended for midland areas.

Straw management in small grain cereal crop production – The long-term effects on soil carbon and soil pore characteristics

Intensive tillage, non-diversified crop rotations and reduction in the return of organic residues to soil imply decreasing levels of soil organic carbon (SOC). Straw removal for (bio)energy production may increase in the future, given the attempts to phase out fossil energy sources. The decreasing SOC contents may deteriorate soil structure with adverse effects on soil ecosystem services. In this study, the long-term (28–36 years) effect of repeated experimentation with removal, burning or incorporation of straw was quantified at a coarse sandy and two sandy loam soils. At the end of experimentation, remolded soil was sampled and analyzed for SOC and a range of other chemical characteristics. Undisturbed soil cores were collected in the plough layer (10 cm depth) and the upper subsoil (30 cm depth). The cores were drained to a range of matric potentials (ψ), and air permeability measured at ψ = -30 and ψ = -100 hPa. At all three locations, incorporation of straw increased SOC by ∼ 13% and ∼ 15% relative to removal and burning, respectively. Leaving straw in the field (chopped or burned) increased exchangeable potassium found in the soil layer 0–80 cm depth with approximately 110–400 kg per hectare, highest for the most clay-holding soil. Addition of straw decreased soil dry bulk density and increased the volume of soil pores holding water available for plants (0.2–30 µm), while no significant effect was found for pores>30 µm. For the two sandy loam soils, air permeability tended to be highest for soil with incorporation of straw. For one of the sandy loam soils, the effect was significant when normalized to unit volume of air-filled pore volume. No effects of straw management were found on the volume of soil pore fractions in the subsoil. However, the measurements of air permeability indicated more continuous pores for straw-amended soil in the generally dense plough pan layer. The long-term effects of straw may affect important soil functions and ecosystem services.

Foliar application of putrescine alleviates terminal drought stress by modulating water status, membrane stability, and yield- related traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Drought stress is one of the major limitations to the growth and yield productivity of cereal crops. It severely impairs the early growing and grain -filling stages of wheat. Therefore, cost- effective and eco-friendly approaches for alleviating drought stress in cereal crops are in high demand. Polyamines, such as putrescine, have a significant effect on improving crop yield under drought- stress conditions. Therefore, the current study was executed with the aim of exploring the significance of putrescine in alleviating drought stress and improving yield- related traits in wheat. Two distinct wheat cultivars (Fakhar-e-Bhakkar and Anaj-2017) were treated with the foliar application of different concentrations (control, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 PPM) of putrescine (put) under two moisture conditions (well- watered and terminal drought stress). The results demonstrate that the imposition of terminal drought stress significantly reduces different physiological and yield- related traits of both wheat cultivars. The reduction of relative water content (RWC%), membrane stability index (MSI), leaf area, tillers per plant, biomass yield, number of spikelets per spike, 100-grain weight, grain yield per plant, and straw yield was greater in Anaj-2017 than in Fakhar-e-Bhakkar cultivar. The results further explain that the foliar application of increased concentrations of putrescine from 0.0 to 1.0 PPM gradually improved physiological and yield traits, whereas these traits declined with the application of putrescine at the highest dose (1.5 PPM). The exogenous application of 1.0 PPM putrescine improved the relative water content (19.76%), specific leaf area (41.47%), and leaf area ratio (35.84%) compared with the controlled treatment. A higher grain yield (28.0g plant-1) and 100-grain weight (3.8g) were obtained with the foliar application of 1.0 PPM putrescine compared with controlled treatments. The findings of this study confirm the protective role of putrescine against terminal drought stress. It is therefore recommended to use putrescine at a concentration of 1.0 PPM, which could help alleviate terminal drought stress and attain better wheat yield.

Utilization of biochar in rainfed farming systems: A meta-analysis

Biochar application in rainfed farming can increase crop productivity by improving the water retention capacity and nutritional status of rhizosphere. This meta-analysis was carried out to assess the quantitative effects of biochar addition to the soil on the productivity of crops under rainfed conditions. The results indicated that increments in plant biomass and grain yield production of cereal crops in response to biochar application under rainfed conditions were higher than in legume crops. Low-temperature pyrolyzed biochar (≤500 °C) with high carbon (>50 %) and nitrogen (>1 %) contents and pH <8 was more effective in enhancing biomass and grain production, compared to other types of biochar. The ideal biochar application rate to improve biomass and grain yield of plants under rainfed conditions was about 20–40 tons ha−1. In general, biochar can increase plant biomass (by about 13 %) and grain yield (by about 14 %) of crops under rainfed conditions.

Identification of genomic regions associated with cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) resistance in spring and winter wheat

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is a major threat to cereal crop production globally including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present study, single-locus and multi-locus models of Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) were used to find marker trait associations (MTAs) against CCN (Heterodera avenae) in wheat. In total, 180 wheat accessions (100 spring and 80 winter types) were screened against H. avenae in two independent years (2018/2019 “Environment 1” and 2019/2020 “Environment 2”) under controlled conditions. A set of 12,908 SNP markers were used to perform the GWAS. Altogether, 11 significant MTAs, with threshold value of −log10 (p-values) ≥ 3.0, were detected using 180 wheat accessions under combined environment (CE). A novel MTA (wsnp_Ex_c53387_56641291) was detected under all environments (E1, E2 and CE) and considered to be stable MTA. Among the identified 11 MTAs, eight were novel and three were co-localized with previously known genes/QTLs/MTAs. In total, 13 putative candidate genes showing differential expression in roots, and known to be involved in plant defense mechanisms were reported. These MTAs could help us to identify resistance alleles from new sources, which could be used to identify wheat varieties with enhanced CCN resistance.

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Effect of Agricultural Inputs on Crop Productivity of The Three-Grain Crop Types in Ethiopia

Agriculture is a critical source of food and income, making it a key component of poverty reduction and ensuring food security across the globe. The sector generates 88.8 percent of the trade profit and contributes 36.7 percent of GDP. The purpose of this paper is to identify the homogeneous and heterogeneous effects of agricultural inputs on crop productivity of three-grain crop types in Ethiopia using an appropriate PMG estimator, as well as to evaluate the effect of agricultural input heterogeneity and homogeneity across individual cross-sectional units (crops). The central statistical agency (CSA) provided the data for this study, which covered the entire country from 1990 to 2012 Ethiopian Calendar (E.C). In the long run, the study found that a one percent increase in fertilizer use resulted in a 2.686 percent increase in productivity of grain crops in Ethiopia, while a corresponding increase in improved seed per hectare and land size resulted in a 48.31 percent and 10.58 percent increase in productivity of grain crops per crop type, respectively. As the value of improved seed increased by one percent with a period lag among commercial farmers, the short-term production of cereal crops increased by 30.29 percent. Grain crop productivity improved by 40.6 percent when area increased by one percent at the first difference. The results of this study show that fertilizer use, improved seed use, and cropland size made homogeneous significant contributions to improved grain crop productivity in the long run across all cross-sectional units. However, in the short run, agricultural inputs such as pesticide use and improved seed use made heterogeneous significant contributions to the first lagged value

English

Genetic &ldquo;biofortification&rdquo; presents an opportunity to provide sustainable and cost effective solution to the perennial problem of &lsquo;hidden hunger&rsquo; prevalent in most marginalized regions of the world. Diets in households across many developing countries typically consist of high calorie crops which are mostly cereals with limited diversified food. Production of cereal crops with elevated quantities of micronutrients needed by the human body is thus imperative. This review outlines &ldquo;biofortification&rdquo; of cereal crops with emphasis on existing genetic variability, genetic and molecular basis for essential amino acids, zinc and iron accumulation in crops. Key issues emerging are that in most crops there is scope to undertake conventional improvement given the sufficient variability influenced by additive genes or associated with polymorphic molecular markers. Availability of high potential non-commercialized genetically modified cereals points to prohibitive legislative frameworks and the need to adopt other tools such as gene editing, mutation breeding not subject to stiff restrictions. Furthermore, given the output nature of &ldquo;biofortification&rdquo; traits there is need to integrate this genetic enhancement in a pipeline breeding approach which integrates breeding objectives so that communities and processors can access these peculiar traits in every new improved variety. Key words: Essential amino acids, micronutrients, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, malnutrition.

Trade-induced displacement of impacts of global crop production on oxygen depletion in marine ecosystems

In our globalized world, local impacts of agricultural production are increasingly driven by consumption in geographically distant places. Current agricultural systems strongly rely on nitrogen (N) fertilization to increase soil fertility and crop yields. Yet, a large portion of N added to cropland is lost through leaching / runoff potentially leading to eutrophication in coastal ecosystems. By coupling data on global production and N fertilization for 152 crops with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based model, we first estimated the extent of oxygen depletion occurring in 66 Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) due to agricultural production in the watersheds draining into these LMEs. We then linked this information to crop trade data to assess the displacement from consuming to producing countries, in terms of oxygen depletion impacts associated to our food systems. In this way, we characterized how impacts are distributed between traded and domestically sourced agricultural products. We found that few countries dominate global impacts and that cereal and oil crop production accounts for the bulk of oxygen depletion impacts. Globally, 15.9 % of total oxygen depletion impacts of crop production are ascribable to export-driven production. However, for exporting countries like Canada, Argentina or Malaysia this share is much higher, often up to three-quarters of their production impacts. In some importing countries, trade contributes to reduce pressure on already highly affected coastal ecosystems. This is the case for countries whose domestic crop production is associated with high oxygen depletion intensities, i.e. the impact per kcal produced, such as Japan or South Korea. Next to these positive effects trade can play in lowering overall environmental burdens, our results also highlight the importance of a holistic food system perspective when aiming to reduce the oxygen depletion impacts of crop production.

Elevated Temperature Affects Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana Reproductive Biology

The weed Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana has a high economic impact in the winter cereal crop production systems of Australia’s northern grains region (NGR). In the NGR, the frequency of high-temperature periods at the end of winter is increasing. This shift in climate may modify this weed’s maturity time and reproductive biology, and thereby impact on crop production. This study examined the reproductive biology of four A. ludoviciana biotypes in relation to elevated temperature when applied at different times during their seed development. Plants of all four A. ludoviciana biotypes were grown in an ambient temperature glasshouse (23/14 °C day/night). At panicle initiation, a portion of the plants were transferred to an elevated temperature glasshouse (29/23 °C day/night) and remained there until maturity. This process of plant movement was repeated on three further occasions with separate batches of plants, each 10 days apart. The remaining plants were kept under ambient conditions for their whole lifespan. Plants exposed to elevated temperature from panicle initiation to maturity, matured 18 days earlier than plants kept under ambient conditions, had 30% fewer filled seeds, 37% lower seed mass, and 40% less seed dormancy. Depending on the time and duration of plants exposed to elevated temperature, predicted seed longevity was ranged from 1 to 4 years in the soil seedbank. All reproductive traits were less affected when plants were exposed to elevated temperature at a later stage of development. If the frequency of high-temperature periods continues to increase, then it may lead to the development of less dormant populations of this weed that would be ready to germinate and re-infest the next winter crops under no-tillage conservation agriculture (that does not bury seeds deep in the soil profile). However, the seasonal climatic variability of the NGR in addition to the weed’s natural genetic variability may contribute to a seedbank of both dormant and less dormant seeds—making this species an even more difficult-to-control weed.

Climate Change and Production of Cereal Crops in East Africa: Role of Temperature, Precipitation, Ecological and Carbon Footprint

This study was conducted to examine the impact of changes in annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, carbon footprint, ecological footprint, and area harvested on cereal crop production in East Africa. The study was conducted in a panel cointegration framework using annual time series from 1980 to 2018 for five East African countries i.e., Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Unit root tests were performed using LLC, IPS, ADF-Fisher, and PP-Fisher tests, while panel co-integration tests were performed using Pedroni residual, Kao residual, and Johansen Fisher panel co-integration tests. Long-run coefficients were estimated using the Pooled Mean Group/Autoregressive Distributed Lag, Panel Fully-modified OLS, and Panel Dynamic OLS models. Empirical findings from the three models revealed that increases in annual mean temperature have adverse effects on cereal crop production, while increases in annual mean precipitation, carbon footprint, ecological footprint, and area harvested have positive effects on cereal crop production in East Africa. Based on these findings, it can be suggested that prioritization of climate change adaptation strategies in the region such as the development of drought and heat-resistant crop varieties, changing in planting dates, and investment in irrigation technologies to boost cereal crops productivity could play a role in minimizing the adverse effects of changes in climate factors.

The Reality of the Production of the Main Cereal Crops in Iraq and Their Impact on Food Security for The Period (1995-2016)

The research aims to study the reality of production and food security in Iraq for the most important strategic goods especially (wheat and rice), which are the subject of the study because the case of the food security became one of the most important interesting cases today under the food crisis, which most of the world states are suffering from and that showed reduction in the most main important food goods and most wanted, therefore the research depends on the hypothesis that the fluctuation in production of these crops correspondence to an increase in consumed quantities due to many economic factors. according to this hypothesis, the research depends in its methodology on the method of linking between the two directions, the quantity and description style which depends on standard economic methods and its styles, where it uses the minimum squares methods of two –stage (2.S.L.S) where in the first stage of analysis, the production quantities (wheat and rice) are used as a dependable variable and each of (local demand volume, mechanical technologies, cultivated area, hectare share of agriculture work, and volume of agriculture loans) are used independent variables and the volume of food gap is used as a dependable variable. the research reaches that there is a consuming gap of these crops and their consuming is increased because of increasing of population, which caused high in size of food gap where it is treated by importing which increases the general budgetary burdens of the state. The food problem is expected to increase in the future under the international economical trends, which aim to liberate the international trade and globalization of food. Based on the findings that the research is obtained, the study recommended for reaching to good levels of self- sufficiency through increasing the production by integration of state's efforts with the farmers to put the integrated strategies to reach food security by supporting of the agricultural sector through the optimal and rational use of the natural resources and the use of modern methods in agriculture to face the food problem.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Biochar Integrated Nutrient Application Improves Crop Productivity, Sustainability and Profitability of Maize–Wheat Cropping System

Enhancing cereal crop production to feed the largely growing population is an important approach towards maintaining food security. Fertilizer management is the major component of crop production requiring special attention for sustainable application. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is an evolving idea, which appears to contribute to sustainable nutrient management. A field study was designed to see the impact of INM on a maize–wheat cropping system during winter (wheat) and summer (maize) season at Agronomic Research Farm, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. Both wheat and maize crops were grown consecutively along with full inorganic fertilizer (NPK) as well as with partial dose of fertilizer (25%, 50%, 75% NPK) supplemented with or without the addition of biochar (5 ton/ha). Data were collected regarding crop growth, yield and quality and further analyzed using MSTAT-C statistics software. Results revealed that the INM approach (75% of NPK + Biochar) enabled crops to improve dry matter production and its translocation towards sink which in turn boosted the crop productivity. This treatment improved dry matter (19%, 57%), grain weight (44%, 54%), grain yield (60%, 63%) and harvest index (30%, 29%) over the control in maize and wheat crops. It also improved the nutrient uptake in the plants which in turn improved the nutrient contents in the grains. Similarly, crops recorded higher system productivity (USD 790, USD 830) in both years and were found to be economically sustainable under INM. It was concluded that an INM strategy (75% of NPK + Biochar) can improve the productivity and sustainability of a maize–wheat cropping system to maintain the food security.

Potential Impacts of Future Climate Changes on Crop Productivity of Cereals and Legumes in Tamil Nadu, India: A Mid-Century Time Slice Approach

Climate change is a terrible global concern and one of the greatest future threats to societal development as a whole. The accelerating pace of climate change is becoming a major challenge for agricultural production and food security everywhere. The present study uses the midcentury climate derived from the ensemble of 29 general circulation models (GCMs) on a spatial grid to quantify the anticipated climate change impacts on rice, maize, black gram, and red gram productivity over Tamil Nadu state in India under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The future climate projections show an unequivocal increase of annual maximum temperature varying from 0.9 to 2.2°C for RCP 4.5 and 1.4 to 2.7°C in RCP 8.5 scenario by midcentury, centered around 2055 compared to baseline (1981–2020). The projected rise in minimum temperature ranges from 1.0 to 2.2°C with RCP 4.5 and 1.8 to 2.7°C under RCP 8.5 scenario. Among the monsoons, the southwest monsoon (SWM) is expected to be warmer than the northeast monsoon (NEM). Annual rainfall is predicted to increase up to 20% under RCP 4.5 scenario in two-third of the area over Tamil Nadu. Similarly, RCP 8.5 scenario indicates the possibility of an increase in rainfall in the midcentury with higher magnitude than RCP 4.5. Both SWM and NEM seasons are expected to receive higher rainfall during midcentury under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 than the baseline. In the midcentury, climate change is likely to pose a negative impact on the productivity of rice, maize, black gram, and red gram with both RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios in most places of Tamil Nadu. The magnitude of the decline in yield of all four crops would be more with RCP 8.5 over RCP 4.5 scenario in Tamil Nadu. Future climate projections made through multi-climate model ensemble could increase the plausibility of future climate change impact assessment on crop productivity. The adverse effects of climate change on cereal and legume crop productivity entail the potential adaptation options to ensure food security.

A meta‐analysis of the effects of Striga control methods on maize, sorghum, and major millets production in sub‐Saharan Africa

AbstractParasitic Striga weeds severely damage cereal crops in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), leading to yield losses in susceptible varieties. A range of Striga control methods are commonly recommended, including cultural practices, chemical herbicides, biological control agents, and host resistance, either as solo treatments or in combinations of these approaches (i.e., integrated Striga management [ISM]). A limited number of studies compared the relative efficacy of the recommended Striga control methods, or their combinations for ISM, in cereal crop production in SSA. The objective of this paper was to undertake a meta‐analysis and provide a detailed comparison of the Striga control methods in the production of maize, sorghum, and the major millets, as a guide to effective Striga management. The study was conducted as a meta‐analysis of 66 research articles that reported on various control measures. The following agronomic data were collected: grain yield (GY) response of the assessed crops and Striga parameters such as damage rating score (SDR) and emergence count (SEC). Maize varieties possessing Striga‐resistant genes displayed high mean yield values at 2053.00 kg ha−1, varying from 281.00 to 6260.00 kg ha−1, and a mean SDR of 4.70, ranging from 2.00 to 7.00. Likewise, sorghum varieties with Striga resistance genes achieved greater GY with a mean yield response of 1738.00 kg ha−1, ranging from 850.00 to 2162.00 kg ha−1. A relatively low GY was achieved in maize and sorghum production when deploying ISM (e.g., cultural control + host resistance and host resistance + chemical herbicides) and chemical Striga control. Effective ISM and pre‐ and post‐emergent herbicides have not yet been identified for Striga control and yield gains. Striga damage negatively affected GY in maize, as revealed by the significant correlation (r = −0.36, P &lt; 0.001) between GY and SDR. A relatively weak correlation was detected in maize between GY and SEC (r = 0.003, P = 0.96). Sorghum GY was negatively correlated with SEC, although nonsignificantly (r = −0.30, P = 0.36). Few studies have evaluated Striga control methods in pearl millet and finger millet, limiting the opportunity for an effective comparison. The study recommends SDR as the best selection criterion for improving GY performance in maize, while SEC and SDR are the parameters of choice in sorghum selection programs for better GY under Striga infestation. Overall, the meta‐analysis indicates that host resistance is the most effective method for controlling Striga infestation and boosting GY in maize and sorghum. There is an ongoing need for research into the best combinations of the reported control methods as a sound basis for the recommendation of an ISM package across target production environments of common cereals in Africa.

A Critical Review of Climate Change Impact at a Global Scale on Cereal Crop Production

Food security can be under threat due to climate change, which has the potential to alter crop yield. Wheat, maize, and rice are major crops contributing to global food security. The impact of climate change on crop yield with different models and techniques has been projected; this article reviewed the worldwide impact of climate change on future wheat, rice, and maize production. Wheat and maize crop yields may increase due to climate change in colder regions and may decrease in the countries near the equator. The increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere may help wheat and maize crops regarding increased carbon intake in colder regions. The rice crop yield may decrease in almost all major rice-producing countries due to water scarcity, which can be amplified due to climate change. The impact of climate change on crop yield prediction involves uncertainties due to different crop models, global circulation models, and bias correction techniques. It is recommended to use multiple climatic models and more than one bias correction technique for better climatic projections. Adaptation measures could help to reduce the adverse impacts of future climate on agriculture. Shifting the planting calendar, irrigation and nutrient management, improving crop varieties, and expanding the agricultural areas are suggested as the most effective adaptation actions in response to climate change. The findings of this study may help policymakers to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Price Volatility And Market Integration: The Case Of Selected Cereal Merchandizing In South-South, Nigeria

Price volatility is a major tool that drives market integration. The broad objective of the study is to determine the effect of price volatility on market integration of selected cereal in South-South Nigeria. The population of the study was made up of cereal crops producers and consumers in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states. Krejcie &amp; Morgan statistical table was used to determine the sample size of 384 respondents and they were selected using multi-stage sampling method.&nbsp; The statistical tools used include; simple percentage, mean, frequency and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study showed that all variables examined such as marketing infrastructure, volatile policy and domestic production were positive and significant factors that affect market integration of cereal crops production and consumption in south-south, Nigeria. The findings further revealed that when proper marketing infrastructure, improved policies, domestic production and market-driven pricing are well blended, they will on the aggregate foster positive market integration in the production of cereal crops in south-south, Nigeria. Therefore, the study concluded that, government agency regulators and key industry players need to engage optimal&nbsp;&nbsp; adjustment to impart positively the fluctuating indicators of production process, policies, etc. to effect positive market integration in cereal crop production.

Matematički rezultati istraživanja parametara koji utiču na ujednačenu produktivnost rasipanja mineralnih đubriva sa kombinovanim plugom, primenom grafo-analitičke metode

The correct application of mineral fertilizer norms and the study of effective energy saving methods, the use of fertilizers in soil and climate conditions for the cultivation of agricultural plants are the urgent tasks of modern agriculture.The main problem in the world is the uneven sowing and disturbance of the ecological situation during the application of fertilizers.So, in many developed countries, the mechanization of this field has been given a lot of attention. Many fertilizer spreading machines and equipment have been produced in this direction. However, in this field, accurate spreading of fertilizers and equal distribution in the soil remains a problem. Uneven fertilization significantly affects the characteristics of the crop and causes environmental pollution.The inhomogeneity of the field in terms of nutrients resulting from fertilization is often the main cause of uneven cropping. It causes yield loss in cereal crops, which can reach 25-60% in some years. Our research has determined that, depending on the design features of the spreaders and the quality of the fertilizers applied, the uneven distribution of the applied fertilizers can vary between 40-60% of the norm, which ultimately leads to nutrient deficiencies. It was observed that the productivity of cereal crops decreased by 11-15 centner/ha with the increase of uneven distribution of fertilizers in the field to 70-80%.In order to partially eliminate the scientific and technical deficiencies in grain growing, a combined plough was developed in our laboratory. Factors affecting productivity were analyzed by the grapho-analytical method of the combined plough, graphs were obtained by theoretical methods. Fertilizer rate, optimal selection of the speed of the aggregate creates conditions for obtaining the maximum productivity of mineral fertilizers in the field.Grapho-analytical methods are convenient for selecting the closest targets.

Резервный потенциал и перспективы повышения эффективности производства зерна в Российской Федерации

The study identifies and examines the process of intensification in grain production as a potential and reserve for increasing the production of grain sub-sector products, prospects for the development of crop production along an intensive path, how the intensification process affects the efficiency of grain production. The main factors that significantly affect the production potential and prospects for the development of grain production in the country are highlighted and justified. The assessment and analysis of the main indicators of cereal crops production, such as: acreage, gross grain harvest, yield of cereals and legumes, are given. The article presents and analyzes promising directions for the development of the crop industry due to the intensification process: chemicalization of grain production by applying organic and mineral fertilizers, gypsum, liming and phosphorization of soils to increase the economic fertility of land. It is shown what role intensification plays in reducing the cost of grain and increasing the profitability of production.

Evaluation of ACCESS-S1 seasonal forecasts of growing season precipitation for Western Australia’s wheatbelt region

Seasonal forecasts are increasingly important tools in agricultural crop management. Regions with Mediterranean-type climates typically adopt rain-fed agriculture with minimal irrigation, hence accurate seasonal forecasts of rainfall during the growing season are potentially useful in decision making. In this paper we examined the bias and skill of a seasonal forecast system (ACCESS-S1) in simulating growing season precipitation (GSP) for south-west Western Australian (SWWA), a region with a Mediterranean-type climate and significant cereal crop production. Focusing on July–September (3-month) and May–October (6-month) forecasts, with 0- and 1-month lead times, we showed that overall ACCESS-S1 had a dry bias for SWWA rainfall and a tendency to simulate close to average rainfall during both wetter and drier than average rainfall years. ACCESS-S1 showed particularly poor skill at these timeframes for very wet and very dry years. The limitations in ACCESS-S1 for SWWA GSP were associated with inaccuracies in the timing of heavy rainfall events. In addition, limitations of the ACCESS-S1 model in accurately capturing SST and wind anomaly patterns over the tropical Indian Ocean during extreme rainfall years also contributed to errors in SWWA GSP forecasts. Model improvements in these regions have the potential to improve seasonal rainfall forecasts for SWWA.