Production Of Grains Research Articles

Microbiomes-Plant Interactions and K-Humate Application for Salinity Stress Mitigation and Yield Enhancement in Wheat and Faba Bean in Egypt’s Northeastern Delta

Salinity, resulting from climate change and excessive mineral fertilization, burdens farmers and negatively impacts soil and water ecosystems in the Northeastern Nile Delta. Organic and biological approaches are crucial for addressing these issues. This study examined the effects of individual and combined inoculations with cyanobacteria, yeast, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), with or without K-Humate and reducing Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers application rates to crop quality of wheat and faba bean. In preliminary laboratory experiments, the interactive effects of these microbiomes on plant antioxidant and soil enzyme production were examined under salinity stress. Results showed that co-inoculation, especially with K-Humate, yielded superior outcomes compared to individual inoculations. These findings were validated by a field trial conducted in saline-alkaline soil in the Northeastern Nile Delta region. All biological treatments 25% of recommended doses, and enhancing salinity tolerance, increasing yield, and improving enhanced rhizosphere microbial activity, including soil enzyme activity, AMF colonization, spore density, and the total numbers of bacteria, cyanobacteria, and yeast. These effects were further amplified by K-Humate and were more pronounced with combined inoculations than with individual ones, leading to improved soil fertility and significant increases in both crop quantity and quality compared to control treatments. The triple treatment, combining cyanobacteria, yeast, and mycorrhizae in the presence of K-Humate while reducing the mineral NPK rate by 75%, achieved superior increases in the productivity of wheat grains and faba bean seeds, reaching 54.72% and 128.92%, respectively, compared to the 100% NPK mineral control. This treatment also significantly improved crop quality, with notable increases in nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and protein percentages in wheat grains and faba bean seeds. Microbiomes-interaction increased potassium uptake over sodium, enhancing the plant’s potassium/sodium ratio and improving salt stress tolerance. This approach reduces reliance on costly mineral fertilizers, enabling bio-organic farming in marginal lands, optimizing resource utilization, and preserving natural resources.

Влияние приемов орошения на структуру почвы и продуктивность посевов яровой пшеницы в сухостепном Поволжье

Irrigation plays a key role in preserving land fertility and ensuring the growth of crop yields in the arid conditions of the dry-steppe zone of the Volga region. This factor primarily limits the volume and stability of crop production. The article presents the results of studies on the study of various irrigation techniques - watering along the strips and irrigation by sprinkling. An analysis was carried out on the effect of the applied irrigation methods on the soil structure and productivity of spring wheat crops. It was found that irrigation methods had different effects on the factors of changing the water-physical properties of the soil and the spring wheat crop. The most effective in terms of productivity of spring wheat grain - a yield of 1.74 t/ha was detected during irrigation with sprinkling using wide-grip sprinklers. Irrigation in strips is less expensive, but the productivity of spring wheat is less with this type of irrigation - 1.16 t/ha. When watering along the strips immediately after the first watering, the overall duty cycle decreases. When watering by sprinkling, water-resistant units pass into the category of sprayed only by the end of the vegetation of spring wheat. Thus, strip watering had the most negative impact on the structure of dark chestnut soil under spring wheat crops. With this version of irrigation, erosion processes begin to develop to a greater extent.

Economic and biological assessment of a new medium-ripened variety of soft winter wheat Priazovye

Relevance. In the Russian Federation, winter common wheat is the main food and strategic crop. Permanent improvement of productivity and quality of wheat grain, reducing its production costs is the main task of agricultural production. To solve this problem, the leading place is given to the continuous and constant creation and introduction into production of new competitive wheat varieties, highly adapted to stress factors, with guaranteed high yields and high grain quality.Methods. The research was carried out in the southern zone of the Rostov region at the experimental sites of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution ANTS “Donskoy” in 2021–2023 in order to create a new variety of soft winter wheat capable of forming not only high yields, but also having high frost resistance, drought resistance, resistance to leaf diseases, possessing high rheological and technological properties of grain and flour.Results. The winter common wheat variety Priazovie was developed by stepwise hybridization using the varieties Voyazh and Tanya. This is a highly productive variety. On average, over three years (2021–2023) of study in the competitive variety testing, the productivity of the variety laid in green manure fallow was 9.88 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard variety by 1.56 t/ha. The variety is capable of producing high yields after various forecrops. The maximum productivity of the variety (12.23 t/ha) was obtained in green manure fallow in 2022. The variety forms a high stem capacity (up to 800 pcs/m²), and is characterized by high resistance to the main leaf diseases, such as powdery mildew, brown and yellow mildew, loose smut, leaf blotch, etc. According to the main indicators of grain and flour quality, it belongs to valuable wheat, in terms of frost resistance (73.3%) it surpasses the standard Ermak variety (69.2%).

Качество зерна новых сортов яровой пшеницы в Северном Зауралье

Abstract. The production of high-quality food wheat grains depends to a large extent on the quality potential of the cultivated varieties and the conditions that ensure its implementation. Studies have identified quality-resistant varieties and factors that ensure an optimal combination of yield and grain quality. The purpose of the research is to consider the possibilities of new varieties of spring wheat to form the technological properties of grain in the northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region. Methods. Studies were carried out in 2021 and 2022 in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Tyumen region at the Ishim state section. The soil is leached chernozem. The predecessor in the experience is pure steam. The technological properties of wheat grain were assessed by the West Siberian Interregional Center for Comprehensive Quality Assessment of the Tested Varieties (Barnaul). The main criteria for assessing wheat varieties are taken as the gluten content in flour, the strength of flour according to the alveograph and the liquefaction of the test according to the farinograph, these indicators in local conditions are often limiting when assessing varieties according to bakery strength. According to the results of studies, it was established that the indicator “gluten content in flour” in the studied varieties significantly depended on meteorological conditions. For example, in 2022, with a higher degree of moisture and a lower degree of heat compared to 2021, in the predominant part of the varieties (80 %), the amount of gluten in the flour was lower than the standards for wheat filler. At the same time, the following varieties showed high opportunities to provide flour with the amount of gluten: Tyumenskaya 25, Agronomicheskaya 5, Baganochka, Dorada, Tyumenskaya 29, Varden. Varieties stood out – their indicators were at the level of requirements for strong wheat: Baganochka, Ishimskaya 12 and Lenta 45. In terms of “dough liquefaction”, a significant part of the varieties corresponded to the class “wheat-filler”. At the level of strong wheat were indicators in the varieties Ishimskaya 12, Zagora Novosibirsk, Nitsa. Scientific novelty: In the conditions of the northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region, new scientific information has been obtained on the formation by new varieties of spring soft wheat of the state test of technological indicators characterizing the baking power of flour. The highest gluten content in flour of 70% yield was distinguished by the varieties Agronomic 5, Dorada, Varden, Baganochka, Ishimskaya 12, and Lenta varieties were characterized by high indicators of the physical properties of the test on the alveograph; Ishimskaya 12 on the farinograph, Zagora Novosibirsk, Nice.

Effects of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services and their trade-offs in Southwest China: A multi-perspective analysis

Exploring the relationships between habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services (ESs) is important for ecological conservation and spatial pattern optimisation. However, analyzing the influence of different habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs from a multiple perspective is still relatively lacking. Therefore, taking Southwest (SW) China as an example, this paper evaluated the dynamics and trade-off relationship of four main types of ESs (i.e., carbon storage (CS), grain production (GP), water retention (WR), soil retention (SR)) during 2000–2020, and analyzed the effects of four habitat fragmentation processes (i.e., decreasing habitat area, increasing habitat density, increasing habitat shape complexity and decreasing habitat cohesion) on ESs and their trade-offs by using geographically and temporally weighted regression model. The results showed that ESs showed a deterioration trend during 2000–2020, with GP, WR, CS, SR, and total ecosystem services (TES) declined by 66.45 %, 54.33 %, 41.68 %, 76.25 % and 65.83 %, respectively. The GP-SR, GP-CS and GP-WR pairs exhibited trade-offs, while other ES types pairs exhibited synergies with each other. Increasing habitat density and increasing in habitat shape complexity were the two strongest fragmentation processes influencing ESs and their trade-offs. The effects of various habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs have obvious spatial heterogeneity. With changes in terrain relief, proportion of karst area, habitat quality, and urbanization level, the association of habitat fragmentation-ESs and habitat fragmentation-ESs trade-offs existed different sensitivities. The results can provide effective guidance for landscape planning and ecosystem management in the SW.

Analyzing the Impact of Competitiveness Factors on Increasing Grain Production in Kazakhstan and Russia

The main research objective of this study is to conduct a detailed econometric analysis of the factors affecting the competitiveness of cereal production in Northern Kazakhstan and the Volga region of Russia, focusing on climatic conditions, irrigation systems, and soil cultivation technologies. The assessment of grain production competitiveness was considered for the period 2018-2020 in the context of the following indicators: grain yield, grain sown area, and gross grain harvest. The data analysis also included indicators of annual domestic grain consumption and total grain production in Kazakhstan and Russia. The study found that over the past few years, in the Volga region of Russia, wheat yields have been stably higher than those in Northern Kazakhstan, where the situation in grain production remains unstable. In the forthcoming decades, the production of grains is expected to exert a substantial influence on both regional and global food security. Russia’s grain production is the most important direction of national agriculture, which has the greatest potential for development in the near future. Kazakhstan, in turn, is poised to improve its competitiveness, given various opportunities to foster the growth of grain production. However, there is a need to modernize agricultural technologies and introduce climate-resistant agronomic systems.

Technological and technical solutions to the problem of basic soil nutrition in the system of precision agriculture in Northern Kazakhstan

Climatic-soil conditions of Kazakhstan allows to produce demanded grain at the international level. However, as a result of low technologies for land cultivation and application of mineral fertilizers, soil fertility decreasesin the production of grain. There is only one way that raises the low fertility of the soil is transfer of missing elements, that is, the application of mineral fertilizers. In the application of minimum and zero technologies of grain production, it is not provided for the introduction of the main amount of mineral fertilizers under the ground and such machines are not producedin the market of agricultural machinery of the CIS countries. At the request of farmers, the production of their subseries has begun.

VINNYTSIA REGION: STATUS AND TRENDS OF PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND STORAGE OF GRAIN

The article is devoted to the study of the state of production, processing and storage of grain in the Vinnytsia region. The objectives of the research were to monitor the collected areas and gross harvests of the main crops in 2011-2021, establish the trends of their changes, analyze the capacities of transport and technological equipment and granaries of the region. The analysis was conducted on the basis of data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 2011-2021. The analysis of harvested areas and gross harvests of grain of the main crops at agricultural enterprises of the region in 2011–2021 showed their tendency to increase. During this period, harvested areas increased by 1.42 times, and annual volumes of gross grain harvests had a wave-like growth pattern. Linear trend equations are proposed for forecasting harvested areas and gross grain harvests, which are characterized by coefficients of determination R2 of 0.79 and 0.65, respectively. The largest gross harvests were given by corn, wheat and sunflower, and smaller – by barley, soybeans and rapeseed. In 2018-2021, the gross harvest of these crops was within the following limits (thousand tons): corn 2015-2620, wheat 1200-1691, and sunflower 755-1001. 66 enterprises receive grain from vehicles, and 65 forward it. The average capacity of receiving grain is 3032.41 t/day, and forwarding 1183.61 t/day. There are 21 railway transport enterprises hiring, and 55 enterprises offering leave. The average capacity of receiving devices from the railway is 949.52 t/day, and the output capacity is 1448.69 t/day. 111 grain dryers from 11 producing countries are installed at the considered 53 enterprises of the region. Of them, 18.9% of enterprises have dryers of Ukrainian production only, 20.8% of enterprises have both domestic and foreign ones, but the majority of enterprises have dryers of foreign production only, which are 1.85 times more than the number of Ukrainian made dryers. It was established that 82 separators are used for grain cleaning at 37 elevators, most of which (63%) are domestically produced, which outnumber imported ones by 1.73 times. The total capacity of simultaneous storage of grain in 67 elevators of agricultural enterprises is 3554.35 thousand tons, of which 2449.41 thousand tons have harvesting elevators and 1104.94 thousand tons – production elevators. Their simultaneous storage capacity is less than the forecast values of gross grain harvests in 2022 – 6354.2 thousand tons, which requires the expansion of the elevator network of the Vinnytsia region.

Optimizing phosphate application to improve soil quality and reduce phosphorus loss in rice-wheat rotation

How to determine the optimal dosage of phosphorus (P) fertilizer input for an agricultural field is important to maintain soil quality and crop production while minimizing environmental impact. In this study, we set up a 5-year rice-wheat rotation with contrasting P fertilization treatments (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 kg P2O5 ha−1, hereafter, P0, P25, P50, P75, P100, and P150, respectively) per season to explore the relationship between the amount of P input and crop yield, P use efficiency (PUE), balance of P accumulation and loss, ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF), and soil quality. Our results indicate that increased P amounts significantly boosted rice and wheat production of both straw and grain, but the tendency slowed down when the input was over 75 kg P2O5 ha−1. The PUE declined with increased P input and soil P balance of 50 kg P2O5 ha−1 for wheat and 100 kg P2O5 ha−1 for rice. Runoff emerges as the main pathway for soil P loss and escalates with higher P application rates. We emphasize increasing ridge height and controlling water input for basal fertilizer to minimize P loss. The application of P fertilizer increased the soil P pool, with labile P (L-P) and moderately labile P (M-P) increasing by 13–114 % and 23–111 %, respectively, compared to P0. The transformation of M-P to L-P in paddy soil is associated with an increased abundance of Actinobacteria. Low P applications (P25 and P50) increased EMF by 3.27 and 3.58 times, while high P applications (P75, P100, and P150) decreased EMF. Furthermore, P application significantly improved the soil quality index (SQI) compared to P0. The impact of abiotic factors on yield and P loss is more significant than that of biotic elements, with the SQI serving as a dependable indicator for predicting yield. Central to minimizing P loss while maximizing yield is the reduction of Resin-P content and the maintenance of NaOH-Pi levels, suggesting that organic materials may be a good alternative strategy. These findings provide valuable data and theoretical support for optimizing P application in rice-wheat cropping systems, promoting a mutually beneficial scenario for agricultural production and ecological protection.

Problems and effectiveness of breeding of winter wheat varieties with increased environmental stability

Aim. The search of adaptive response peculiarities to adverse environmental factors is an important condition of development of varietal technologies and control of adaptive potential of winter wheat varieties. Methods. The studies were carried out in accordance with the field test methodology. The wheat varieties of different types of growing, different genetic and ecological origins were studied. Results. The alternative variety Clarisa and the new universal varieties of winter wheat Perlyna, Askaniyska, Askaniyska Bereginya were characterized by the highest yield at different times of spring vegetation recovery. Thus, on average over the years of research, they exceeded the standard variety of Kherson Bezosta by 0.51–1.27 t/ha in terms of yield, and under unfavorable conditions of the late recovery of spring vegetation, their advantage was at the level of 0.58–1.34 t/ha. Conclusions. For stable production of high-yielding winter soft wheat grain, use new varieties of the universal type Askaniyska, Askaniyska Bereginya, Perlyna and alternative types Clarissa, Solomia for different agrophones for late sowing periods according to different predecessors.

Роль малых предприятий в аграрной экономике: оценка вклада в сельскохозяйственное производство

Small businesses and peasant (farm) households play a key role in agricultural production in Russia, making a significant contribution to the development of the agricultural sector. The relevance of this study is due to the need to analyze the contribution of small enterprises to the total volume of agricultural production and assess their impact on the country's economy. The purpose of the article is to study the role of small enterprises and farms in the agricultural economy of Russia based on data on the share of small enterprises in agricultural production and the main indicators of farmers' activities. The hypothesis of the study is that small enterprises play an important role in the production of crop products, but their contribution to livestock farming remains relatively small. The conducted data analysis showed that small enterprises provide a significant part of the production of grain and oilseeds, but their share in the livestock sector is small. In addition, farms demonstrate steady growth in crop production, especially in the production of grain and oilseeds. The conclusions of the article highlight the importance of further development of small businesses and farms through improved access to financial resources, government support and the introduction of innovative technologies to increase their competitiveness and sustainable growth in the agricultural economy.

Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems as a Strategy for the Sustainable Production of Corn and Soybean Grain in Tropical Sandy Soils

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) have sustainably intensified modern agricultural practices worldwide. This research assessed how production systems and crop types impact the chemical properties of an Oxisol in the Brazilian Cerrado, the grain yield of corn intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa) in the off-season in an ICLS, and the grain yield (GY) of soybean in succession. Intercropped and monocropped systems were assessed in a three-year field experiment: corn + Urochloa ruziziensis–soybean; corn + U. brizantha cv. Piatã–soybean; corn + U. brizantha cv. Paiaguás–soybean (ICL–Paiaguás); corn–soybean under a no-tillage system (NTS); corn–soybean under a conventional tillage system (CTS); Piatã grass–continuous grazing (Perennial Piatã); and Paiaguás grass–continuous grazing (Perennial Paiaguás). The residual impact of phosphate fertilization was more pronounced in the ICLS treatments. In the soil layer from 0.0 to 0.2 m depth, ICLS–Paiaguás and Perennial Piatã had the most positive effects on soil chemical quality. In the last year, grain yield was highest in corn monoculture under the NTS and soybean in succession under the ICLS. ICL–Paiaguás improved soil chemical properties for soybean in succession. These results confirm that an intermittent pasture system for legume crops in sequence is an alternative that can maintain or improve soil chemical composition, and that CTS should be avoided in tropical sandy soils.

Black Pepper Response to Different Irrigations Depths

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation depths on development, productivity and water use efficiency of black pepper. Theoretical Framework: Irrigation management is a very important technique from an economic and environmental point of view in an irrigated agricultural activity. Proper irrigation management can save water and energy, increase crop productivity and improve product quality. Method: The experiment had five treatments, four replications, with depth irrigation replacement related to the crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The treatments were T1: 25% of ETc; T2: 50%; T3: 75%; T4: 100%; and T5: 125%. In the first year we evaluated: number of leaves per plant (NLP), plants height (PH), stem diameter (SD) and leaf temperature (LT). In the second year the number of bunches per plant (NBP) and the productivity of fresh grains (PFG) and dry grains (PDG). Results and conclusion: The best results were, respectively, 52.5 (NLP); 173.1 cm (PH) and 13.5 mm (SD), with 100% of ETc. The lowest values of leaf temperature were in the 100% treatment. The best results for NBP and PDG were found in 75% and 100% depths, respectively. The total evapotranspiration that promoted the highest PDG was 563.2 mm, with a yield of 875.2 kg ha-1 and 0.155 kg m-3 of water use efficiency. Implications of research: Producing satisfactorily with water use efficiency is essential for the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Originality/value: Studies that evaluate the efficiency of water use and its relationship with crop yield are in evidence and need to be encouraged.

A study of the influence of the T2DL.2DS-2SS translocation and the 5S(5D) substitution from Aegilops speltoides on breeding-valuable traits of common wheat.

The use of the gene pool of wild relatives for expanding the genetic diversity of common wheat is an important task of breeding programs. However, the practical application of common wheat lines with alien genetic material is constrained by the lack of information on chromosomal rearrangements and the negative impact of the transferred material on agronomically important traits. This research is aimed at studying 14 introgression lines with the T2DL.2DS-2SS translocation and the 5S(5D) substitution from Aegilops speltoides obtained from crossing common wheat varieties (Aurora, Krasnodarskaya 99, Nika Kubani) with the genome-substituted form Avrodes (BBAASS). Hybrid lines with different combinations of T2DL.2DS-2SS and T1BL.1RS translocations and 5S(5D) substitution were characterized by resistance to leaf and yellow rusts, productivity components and technological qualities of grain. The assessment of the varieties' resistance to rust diseases showed that Krasnodarskaya 99, Nika Kubani and the Aurora variety, which is a carrier of the T1BL.1RS translocation, are highly susceptible to diseases, while the presence of the T2DL.2DS-2SS translocation and the 5S(5D) substitution, both together and separately, provides resistance to fungal pathogens. The analysis of the lines using markers designed for known resistance genes of Ae. speltoides did not reveal the presence of the Lr28, Lr35 and Lr51 genes in the lines. The results suggest that the genetic material of Ae. speltoides transferred to chromosomes 2D and 5D contains new resistance genes. To determine the effect of the T2DL.2DS-2SS translocation and the 5S(5D) substitution on the productivity and technological qualities of grain, the lines were assessed by weight of 1000 grains, grain weight and number of ears per 1 m2, by protein and gluten content, gluten quality and general baking evaluation. A positive effect was determined upon the weight of 1000 grains, protein and gluten content. There were no significant differences in other characteristics. The T2DL.2DS-2SS translocation and the 5S(5D) substitution did not have a negative effect on the productivity and technological quality of grain, and are of interest for breeding practice.

Utilizing Principal Component Analysis to Assess the Effects of Complex Foliar Fertilizers Regarding Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity

This study sought to determine the effects of foliar fertilization (FF) on both the quantity and quality of maize grains using principal component analysis (PCA). This chemometric approach enabled the selection of the best foliar treatment model for enhancing maize yield and quality. The results were analyzed via PCA, providing valuable insights into identifying the FF recipe with the greatest influence on maize grain production and quality. These field experiments were run during the time period 2020–2022 in the university’s experimental field. Seven experimental variants with three repetitions were tested, including a control group and various FF formulations labeled V1 through V7, each with different chemical compositions. FF applications were conducted during specific vegetative phases of the maize, respectively, in stages 15–16 BBCH (5–6 unfolded leaves) and 20–22 BBCH (10–12 unfolded leaves), with application rates varying from 2 to 6 Lha1 according to the product’s chemical properties. The application of FF treatments positively impacted both the production and quality of maize grains, as evidenced by specific quality indices such as moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fiber, and mineral content.

Кластерный анализ в оценке эффективности зернового производства Тюменской области

Abstract. In recent years, there has been stable production of grain industry products in volumes that meet the needs of the Tyumen region and allow the sale of products outside the region. The article is devoted to the study of territorial differentiation of the production of grain and leguminous crops in the Tyumen region. The purpose of the study is to assess the efficiency of grain production in the context of municipalities in the south of the Tyumen region and determine the dependence on the level of fertilizer application. Methods. Statistical methods of data processing (analysis of time series, method of variation, method of correlation-regression analysis), as well as cluster analysis using the Ward method, were used for the study. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that municipalities have been clustered and ranked according to a set of parameters characterizing the development of the grain production industry in the Tyumen region. Results. An assessment was made of the scale of industry development for the period from 2018 to 2022, quantitative and qualitative indicators were considered: the size of sown areas, gross yields, yields of grain and leguminous crops differentiated by municipal areas. An assessment was made of the dynamics of development of the grain production industry, trends of changes over 5 years, parameters of the influence and dependence of the yield of grain and leguminous crops on the level of fertilizer application were identified, clusters were identified that reflect the differentiation of municipal areas in grain production.

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR NITROGEN REMOVAL AND SIMULTANEOUS REUSE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE

This study evaluated the behavior of vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW), planted with irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.), specie BRS-GO Guará, and a vertical flow soil filter without plant (VFSF-CTR), as control, both on a reduced experimental scale. The objective was the removal and recovery of N from domestic sewage, using soil latossoil red-yellow (LRY) mixed with medium sand (modified LRY) as support medium. The operation of VFCW and VFSF-CTR for ten months and two rice crop cycles, used three different hydraulic loading rates - HLR (4.0, 8.0 and 15.0 cm/d); with three repetitions, totalizing eighteen experimental units. For the VFCW, the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (KTN) and N-NH4+ removal efficiencies, ranged from 86% to 95%; and, for VFSF-CTR, from 79 to 94%; with the rice crop favoring higher efficiencies in KTN removal, independent of HLR. Both systems showed tertiary treatment removal efficiency in a single stage; in addition, the variations in the removal efficiencies were minimal when operated with HLR of 15 cm/d. There was great accumulation of KTN and mineral N (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) in soil, mainly in the 0-5 cm soil layer, which can be used for fertilization of other crops. There was also N immobilised in microbial biomass (MBN). This rapid fertilisation improved the soil quality in a short term (ten months of sewage application) and provided the production of grains and vegetable biomass for human and animal food. The VFCW presented good results, either operated with low or high hydraulic loads, showing larger operational flexibility.

ICE1 interacts with IDD14 to transcriptionally activate QQS to increase pollen germination and viability.

In flowering plants, sexual reproductive success depends on the production of viable pollen grains. However, the mechanisms by which QUA QUINE STARCH (QQS) regulates pollen development and how transcriptional activators facilitate the transcription of QQS in this process remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION 1 (ICE1), a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, acts as a key transcriptional activator and positively regulates QQS expression to increase pollen germination and viability in Arabidopsis thaliana by interacting with INDETERMINATE DOMAIN14 (IDD14). In our genetic and biochemical experiments, overexpression of ICE1 greatly promoted both the activation of QQS and high pollen viability mediated by QQS. IDD14 additively enhanced ICE1 function by promoting the binding of ICE1 to the QQS promoter. In addition, mutation of ICE1 significantly repressed QQS expression; the impaired function of QQS and the abnormal anther dehiscence jointly affected pollen development of the ice1-2 mutant. Our results also showed that the enhancement of pollen activity by ICE1 depends on QQS. Furthermore, QQS interacted with CUT1, the key enzyme for long-chain lipid biosynthesis. This interaction both promoted CUT1 activity and regulated pollen lipid metabolism, ultimately determining pollen hydration and fertility. Our results not only provide new insights into the key function of QQS in promoting pollen development by regulating pollen lipid metabolism, but also elucidate the mechanism that facilitates the transcription of QQS in this vital developmental process.

Study results of the spring vetch varieties (<i>Vicia sativa</i> L.) in the Republic of Bashkortostan

Spring vetch is a valuable leguminous plant that serves as a source of high-protein feed for farm animals, and due to its ability to fix nitrogen, it is a good green manure. The cultivation of this crop plays an important role in solving the problem of plant protein deficiency; however, in the Cis-Ural steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan, productivity of vetch seeds and green mass is low and unstable over the years. In this regard, the purpose of the current study was to estimate the potential productivity of spring vetch varieties that would be promising for cultivation in the soil and climatic conditions of our region. Field trials were conducted in 2021–2023. Weather conditions during the years of study were contrasting in temperature and moisture availability. The material for the study was a set of spring vetch varieties ‘Omichka 3’, ‘Orlovskaya 91’, ‘Lugovskaya 98’, ‘Lgovskaya 22’, ‘Yubileinaya 110’, ‘Uzunovskaya 8’, ‘Valentina’, recommended for cultivation in the Ural region of the Russian Federation. The estimation, records and measurements were carried out in accordance with the Methodological recommendations for the study of the grain legumes’ collection (1975) and the Methodology for the State Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops (2019). As a result, there has been found that in the conditions of the Republic of Bashkortostan the spring vetch varieties ‘Lgovskaya 22’, ‘Omichka 3’, ‘Uzunovskaya 8’ with a vegetation period length of 74.3±11.6 – 75.7±12.1 days turned out to be the most earlymaturing. According to the indicators of the main yield structure elements, the varieties ‘Valentina’, ‘Uzunovskaya 8’, ‘Yubileinaya 110’ were the best in terms of ‘number of beans per plant’ (4.4±0.7 – 4.9±1.3 pcs.), ‘seeds per plant’ (18.1± 5.9 – 18.5±6.8 pcs.), ‘seed productivity’ (0.90±0.26 – 0.96±0.27g). According to our study, the most promising varieties for production in the Republic of Bashkortostan are ‘Uzunovskaya 8’ and ‘Valentina’, which were the best ones in terms of productivity of grain (1.25–1.29 t/ha), green mass (6.40–6.53 t/ha) and hay (1.61–1.65 t/ha) in 2021–2023.

Evolution and Drivers of Production Patterns of Major Crops in Jilin Province, China

Exploring the evolution of the production patterns of major crops and their driving factors can provide new ideas to ensure the security of supply of important agricultural products. This study selected four major crop types in Jilin Province—grain, oil crop, vegetable, and fruit—as research subjects. Using the center of gravity migration model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and comparative advantage index, the spatial and temporal evolution of these crops’ production patterns from 2000 to 2020 was examined. A geographically weighted regression model was employed to analyze driving factors. The results showed that the planting area of grain was the most extensive; the percentage of production of grain, oil crop, and fruit increased to different degrees; the unit area yield of the four crops increased. The centers of gravity of all four crops’ productions were located in the central-northwestern region of Jilin Province. The global Moran’s I was positive for all four crops’ productions. The comparative advantage characteristics of the four crops were closely related to the natural geographical environment. Grain, vegetable, and fruit production were significantly and positively correlated with fertilizer application, and the most significant factor affecting oil crop production was land input intensity.