Rain-fed Conditions Research Articles

Exogenously applied 5-aminolevulinic acid modulates growth, yield, and physiological parameters in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under rain-fed and supplemental irrigation conditions

Lentils are a significant source of plant protein and are cultivated across Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Plants are subjected to various environmental stresses, which can hinder growth, yield, and productivity. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a compound that acts as a precursor in the biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles and can increase plant tolerance to different abiotic stressors. However, the effects of exogenously applied ALA on lentil growth, yield, and physiological parameters under rain-fed and supplemental irrigation conditions are not well-known. In this study, a split plot experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of ALA foliar application and supplemental irrigation on lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). The experiment was designed based on a randomized complete block with three replications. The main plot included four levels of supplemental irrigation [(supplementary irrigation in the flowering and early seed-filling stages, supplementary irrigation in the flowering stage, supplementary irrigation in the early seed-filling along with rain-fed conditions (no irrigation)]. The subplot considered foliar application of ALA at varying levels [(0 (control), 50 and 100 ppm)]. The results showed that water regimes and foliar spray with ALA significantly (P ˂ 0.01) affected plant height, number of pods per plant, pod weight, number of seeds per pod and weight of 1000 seeds, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index. The highest total chlorophyll content was observed in plants that were subjected to supplementary irrigation in flowering and early seed filling stages and foliar sprayed with 100 ppm ALA. The study also found that exogenous ALA improved drought tolerance in lentil plants under rain-fed conditions mainly by regulating antioxidant enzymes, which ultimately protected the cellular membranes against overproduction of H2O2. Furthermore, ALA application increased total carbohydrate contents at all supplemental irrigation levels, but the rate was higher in complementary irrigation conditions during flowering and early seed-filling stages. Malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and proline contents were increased in field-grown plants under rain-fed conditions without exogenous ALA application. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the effects of ALA foliar spray and supplemental irrigation on lentil growth, yield, and physiological parameters. The findings suggest that exogenous ALA can improve plant tolerance to various abiotic stressors and enhance plant growth, yield, and physiological parameters.

Эффективность систем основной обработки почвы в экспериментальном севообороте в аридных условиях Нижнего Поволжья

The article presents the results of research on the formation of crop yields depending on the depth of tillage in the arid conditions of the Lower Volga region. Basic tillage is an important agrotechnical technique that affects many indicators, including crop yields. The aim of the research was to study the influence of basic tillage (classical and energy-saving) on crop productivity, as well as on the process of creating optimal water-physical properties of the soil of short-rotation crop rotations in conditions of insufficient moisture. The research was carried out at the experimental field of Rossorgo in 2021-2023. The experiment traces the dependence of the main agrophysical properties of the soil, the contamination of crops and crop yields on the applied techniques. It is proved that plowing is the most effective in the rain-fed conditions of the Lower Volga region. With the minimization of the main tillage, yields decrease, with the use of disking – by 10...30%, on variants with cultivation – by 14...51%, as well as deterioration of the water-physical properties of the soil and the phytosanitary condition of crops. Keywords: TILLAGE, PRODUCTIVITY, PLOWING, DISKING, CULTIVATION

Impact of Biotic and Abiotic Stress on Survival of Lac Insects Kerria lacca Kerr. on Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp)

Cajanus cajan is generally grown in rainfed condition. The crop is also a good annual host plant of lac insect. C. cajan is widely reported to have biotic stress due to insect pests on it. Lac insect is phloem sap feeder and hence imparts biotic stress. The present field study was conducted to evaluate the percent survival of lac insects on C. cajan by adjusting different levels of biotic and abiotic stress on the host plant. The biotic stress due to insect pests on C. cajan was minimised with periodic spray of contact insecticides. The varying level of biotic stress i.e., No, Low, Medium, and High level was maintained on C. cajan plants with lac insects on it. The three levels of abiotic stress in this experiment were considered in terms of soil moisture stress. It was managed through irrigation per plant through drip system, it was considered that creating different levels of moisture stress in soil will impact the host plant. The abiotic stress was of three levels i.e., Low, Medium, and High. The result reveals that survival percent of Lac insect from brood lac inoculation to the harvest of lac crop was highest 37.52 percent on C. cajan with one primary branch and its secondary branches with lac insect (L1- Low biotic stress). It was 32.13 percent (W3- Low soil moisture stress). The study indicates that biotic and abiotic stress play a major role in the survival of K. lacca.

Impact of silicate fertilizer on soil properties and yield of bread wheat in Nitisols of tropical environment

PurposeSoil acidity and depletion of essential plant nutrients are among the major abiotic stresses that constrained wheat productivity in Ethiopia. Silicates and silicate by-products can be used as alternative source for amendment of soil acidity and improvement of crop yields. Surface application of water-soluble silicate fertilizer alone and the integrated application with full does of recommended N and P from mineral fertilizers can reduce the extent of soil acidity and improve phosphorous availability in the soil, soil pH and exchangeable acidity and can enhance the yield attributes and yield of bread wheat. A field experiment was conducted under rain-fed condition from July to December of 2020 to evaluate the role of soil and foliar application of water-soluble silicate fertilizer without and with reduced or full doses of recommended nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) (RNP) from mineral fertilizers on soils chemical attributes, yield components and yield of bread wheat sown under moderately to strongly acidic condition in southeastern Ethiopia. MethodsThe experiment comprised sole silicate (40 kg + 18 L/ha−1), and its integration with full dose of RNP (92–30 kg N–P ha−1), three quarters dose of RNP (69–23 kg N–P ha−1) and half dose of RNP (46–15 kg N–P ha−1) from mineral fertilizers. Full dose of RNP from mineral fertilizers and a negative control with no silicate and mineral fertilizer inputs included as controls, resulting in a total of six treatments. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. ResultsThe combined application of silicate with mineral fertilizers significantly influenced soil properties, yield attributes and yield of bread wheat. Integrated applications of silicate fertilizers and full dose of RNP increased grain yield, biomass yield, and available soil P by 108, 115, and 23 % respectively relative to untreated soil. ConclusionsIntegration of silicate with mineral fertilizers can be considered as a viable and alternative option for acid soils amendment. Generally, the result of the current study revealed that combined application of water soluble granular and liquid silicate at the rate of (40 kg + 18 L)/ha with full dose of recommended nitrogen (92 kg ha−1) and phosphorus (30 kg ha−1) significantly reduced exchangeable acidity, tended to increase soil reaction, increased available soil phosphorus content and boosted yield of bread wheat compared to their sole applications. Thus, application of water-soluble silicate fertilizer with recommended rate of nitrogen and phosphorus is better in enhancing plant nutrition and yield of bread wheat in the highlands of Ethiopia and other similar agro-ecologies.

Performances of Some Perennial Legume and Grass Mixtures under Rainfed Conditions of a Continental Climate Region

Forage yield and the quality of the pastures in Turkey, especially in Central Anatolia, where the continental climate is dominant, are very low, and their vegetation is degraded to a great extent due to use without proper management practices. The inadequacy of the forage crop production in agricultural land and the low yield and quality of forage are among the main problems of husbandry. The present study aimed to determine perennial legume and grass mixtures with high forage yield and quality under rainfed conditions of the continental climate region in Turkey. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications. In the experiment, smooth brome (SB), intermediate wheatgrass (IW), alfalfa (A), sainfoin (S), and lesser burnet (LB) were sown as pure and mixed in different ratios. Two years averaged values of dry matter yield and crude protein, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) contents of dry matter varied between 2613 and 6268 kg ha-1;118 and 205 g kg-1; 249 and 424 g kg-1, 416 and 558 g kg-1, respectively. Higher dry matter yields were obtained from A+S+IW+SB, S+LB+IW+SB, A+LB+IW+SB, S+IW, and A+IW+SB mixtures. The pure sowings of the SB, IW, and LB gave lower dry matter yields than the mixtures. Crude protein contents of alfalfa and sainfoin were higher than other pure sowings and mixtures. The ADF and NDF contents of mixtures were higher than those of pure sown of alfalfa, sainfoin, and lesser burnet, they were lower than those of IW and SB. In terms of dry matter yield, crude protein yield, ADF and NDF content, A+S+IW+SB, A+LB+IW+SB, and S+LB+IW+SB mixtures were superior to other mixtures and pure sowings. Alfalfa may be predominant in mixtures over time, and animal health problems may occur under grazing conditions. Therefore, the mixtures of A+S+IW+SB and A+LB+IW+SB can be recommended for mowing, while the S+LB+IW+SB mixtures can be recommended for grazing.

Nutritive and Anti-Nutritive Compounds of Oil Seeds Renewables and By-Products in the Livestock Industry

Nigeria is one of the major oilseeds producers in Africa due to favorable climatic and edaphic factors. They strive well under rain-fed conditions; under low rainfall the crops experience moisture stress causing low yield. Oil seeds have recently attracted more interest due to their nutritional composition and the demand keeps rising due to the increase in population growth. Oil seed products such as soybeans, cottonseed, rapeseed, sunflower, and camelina meal or cake are sources of amino acids, and digestible rumen protein and minerals that influence animal growth and development. Due to the considerable amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, it causes toxins accumulation and inflammation. The presence of antinutrients such as glucosinolates, trypsin inhibitors, gossypol, and lectins in these oilseeds inhibits their protein degradability, mineral bioavailability, flavor, and taste. Animals are affected by the toxicity of antinutrients leading to diseases and death. Glucosinolates, trypsin inhibitors, are known to reduce feed intake and cause iodine deficiency causing goiter and enlargement of the liver, kidney, and thyroid of animals which consequently affects the body. This paper summarizes the nutritive and anti-nutritive values of different oil seeds, the effect of different livestock animals, and the methods of reducing or eliminating the attributive compounds.

Nutrient Uptake and Efficiencies of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Varieties under Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers

Sweet potatoes serve as a staple food and animal feed in Africa and serve as a source of raw materials for the food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and energy industries. The yield of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes is increased when nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are added to low-fertility soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient uptake and use efficiency of orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties under applied N and P. The experiment was conducted for two growing seasons (2019 and 2020) under rain-fed conditions in the field. The study included five orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties (Kulfo, Kabode, Alamura, Dilla, and NASPOT-12), three N levels (0, 23, and 46 kg·N·ha−1), and two levels of P (0 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1) fertilizers designed in 5 × 3 × 2 with α-lattice design in factorial arrangement using 3 replications. The interaction effect of variety, N, and P fertilizers affected nutrient uptake, physiological efficiency, and agronomic efficiency of sweet potatoes. NASPOT-12 was the better variety in nutrient uptake but poor in apparent recovery at all levels of N and P. The highest nutrient uptake, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency were observed on NASPOT-12 when subjected to 23 kg N·ha−1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1. Overall, NASPOT-12 with 23 kg·N·ha−1 and 46 kg P2O5·ha−1 could be recommended for its high nutrient uptake, agronomic, and physiological efficiencies.

Assessment of the changes in seed yield and nutritional quality of quinoa grown under rainfed Mediterranean environments.

Climate change is considered a serious threat to agriculture and food security. It is linked to rising temperatures and water shortages, conditions that are expected to worsen in the coming decades. Consequently, the introduction of more drought-tolerant crops is required. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has received great attention worldwide due to the nutritional properties of its seeds and its tolerance to abiotic stress. In this work, the agronomic performance and seed nutritional quality of three quinoa varieties were studied during two consecutive years (2019-2020) under three water environmental conditions of Southwestern Europe (irrigated conditions, fresh rainfed, and hard rainfed) with the goal of determining the impact of rainfed conditions on this crop performance. High precipitations were recorded during the 2020 growing season resulting in similar grain yield under irrigation and fresh rainfed conditions. However, in 2019, significant yield differences with penalties under water-limiting conditions were found among the evaluated environmental conditions. Furthermore, nutritional and metabolomic differences were observed among seeds harvested from different water environments including the progressive accumulation of glycine betaine accompanied by an increase in saponin and a decrease in iron with water limitation. Generally, water-limiting environments were associated with increased protein contents and decreased yields preserving a high nutritional quality despite particular changes. Overall, this work contributes to gaining further knowledge about how water availability affects quinoa field performance, as it might impact both seed yield and quality. It also can help reevaluate rainfed agriculture, as water deficit can positively impact the nutritional quality of seeds.

Analyzing the Variability in Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Using Principal Component Analysis under Varied Ecosystems

Maize is a cereal cross-pollinated crop which belongs to the family poaceae. It is grown over a wider range of environment than any other cereal crop. The present study was conducted to study genetic variability using principal component analysis. Twenty maize genotypes were used in the study. Ten characters viz., plant height, ear height, days to 50 % tasselling, days to 50 % silking, ASI, cob length, number of rows per cob, hundred seed weight, shelling percentage and yield were recorded for the study. In the PCA, four principal components exhibited eigen value more than 1.0 exhibiting 84.54 percent of the variability for the characters under irrigated conditions. The PC1 negative loadings for the flowering traits, viz., days to 50 % silking (-0.3886), ASI (-0.3233) and days to 50 % tasselling (-0.2972) and positive loadings with higher contribution from cob length (0.4033), no of rows per cob (0.3480) followed by shelling percentage were observed. Positive loadings were exhibited by days to tasselling (0.4780), plant height (0.4670) and hundred seed weight (0.4518) in PC2. In PC3 positive loadings for the characters viz., number of rows per cob (0.5338), ASI (0.5226) and cob length (0.3299) and negative loadings for the traits grain yield (-0.3815), ear height (-0.2658) and plant height (-0.2437) and in PC4 positive loadings for plant height (0.4953), ear height (0.2546) and negative loadings were shown by days to grain yield (-0.6632), shelling percentage (-0.3751), ASI (-0.2369) and 50 % silking (-0.0648) were observed. In rainfed conditions, the two principal components had eigen value of more than 1. Under normal irrigated condition, PC1 and PC2 had eigen value of 5.689 and 1.6439. Plant height (0.3866), cob length (0.3726), number of rows per cob (0.3551), shelling % (0.3196), grain yield (0.2941), and hundred seed weight (0.2847) contributed positively to PC1. PC 2 had highest positive contributions from days to 50 % tasselling (0.5676), days to 50 % silking (0.5249), shelling % (0.3885), hundred seed weight (0.3763) and grain yield (0.2007). Negative loadings were shown by ear height (-0.1356) and plant height (-0.0093). Positive loadings were contributed by days to 50 % tasselling (0.5676), Days to 50 % silking, shelling percentage (0.3885) and hundred grain weight (0.3763).

Effect of long-term conservation tillage management on microbial diversity under Mediterranean rainfed conditions

Conservation Agriculture has been the subject of numerous studies for decades. However, its impact on the soil microbial community has often been overlooked. Recent studies have shed light on the changes in soil bacterial composition resulting from modifications in tillage practices, particularly when compared to conventional tillage methods. However, there is a lack of soil microbial community analysis conducted under conservation tillage and rainfed conditions in the Mediterranean basin. A metataxonomic approach was employed to assess the influence of 19 years (2004–2022) of minimum tillage (MT) and no-till (NT) practices, along with crop rotation, on the soil bacterial community at upper layers (15 cm depth). This field study involved three different seasonal moments throughout the year. Results revealed that both sampling time and tillage management significantly influenced the structure of the bacterial community, whereas no effect was observed due to the crop. May showed a higher taxonomic diversity than July and December, showing differences in some o fthe most abundant phyla, such as Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. On the other hand, the long-term application of NT was found to lead to a significant decrease in bacterial diversity, with lower abundances of the phyla Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Armatimonadota, as well as an increase in k-strategist bacteria compared to MT. However, no significant effect on alpha diversity was observed as a result of tillage. no variations in phyla composition were observed attributable to crop, as the primary distinctions were identified among legume crops, which were associated with different sampling times. Therefore, our conclusion is that over this period, NT did not promote microbial diversity in the upper soil layers, despite notable shifts in bacterial composition occurring across seasonal time points in both tillage management systems.

Estimation of Genetic Variability Parameters and Character Association in F2 Generation of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Crosses under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

The present study was carried out to estimate genetic variability parameters, heritability (in broad sense), genetic advance as percentage of mean and character association in F2 generation of five chickpea crosses under irrigated and rainfed conditions for yield and its components traits. The estimates of these parameters will help us to decide selection criteria for improvement of seed yield in chickpea. Significant differences were observed among the crosses and generations for all the characters under both the conditions. The highest range of variation was observed for 100 seed weight followed by seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, seeds per pod and plant height in irrigated condition, while in rainfed condition the highest range of variation was registered for 100 seed weight followed by days to 50% flowering, fruiting branches per plant, seed yield per plant, days to maturity and harvest index. Hence, selection should be done on characters having wide range of variation under the respective environmental condition. Phenotypic variance was higher than the corresponding genotypic variance for all the characters studied under both the conditions, indicating more contribution of environment in the phenotypic appearance of the traits than their genetic makeup. The high estimates of GCV and PCV were obtained for fruiting branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod, biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant and 100 seed weight in most of the crosses under both the conditions. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for pods per plant in most of the crosses under both the conditions. RSG-895 × RSG-888 showed high heritability coupled with high GAM for seed yield per plant and harvest index, CSJD-901 × RSG-931 for seed yield per plant, RSG-888 × ICC-4958 for harvest index under irrigated condition indicated the importance of additive gene action in the inheritance of these characters; hence, selection based on phenotypic performance would be effective for improvement of these characters. Seed yield per plant had positive and significant correlation with fruiting branches per plant, pods per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and 100 seed weight under both the conditions and with plant height in rainfed condition only. So selection based on these characters is expected to bring improvement in the seed yield of chickpea.

TilhanTec-SUNH-1 (IIOSH-15-20): A new high seed and oil yielding and downy mildew resistant sunflower hybrid suitable for rainfed condition of India

Aim: To develop more heterotic hybrids for seed and oil yield coupled with resistant or tolerant to major disease (downy mildew) and insect pests (leafhoppers) for commercial cultivation in rainfed conditions and DNA profiling of the newly developed hybrid (TilhanTec-SUNH-1) along with 2 female lines, 4 male lines and 3 hybrids using sunflower specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Methodology: Two parentages (ARM-243A and RGP-100) were utilized for the development of a new promising sunflower hybrid, TilhanTec-SUNH-1 (IIOSH-15-20). Performance of entry was assessed at 29 and 14 locations, respectively, during the kharif and rabi seasons over three years through All India Coordinated Trials (IHT, AHT-I & II) and a state multilocation trial at three locations. A total of nine quantitative observations were recorded. A total of 80 SSR primers were used on the 4 hybrids for DNA fingerprinting. Results: Considerable seed yield superiority (28.7% and 10.5%) was observed in AICRP trials over DRSH-1 and KBSH-44, respectively. Oil yield superiority was 27.1% and 27.3% compared to national checks DRSH-1 and KBSH-44. TilhanTec-SUNH-1 was found resistant (0%) to downy mildew and leafhoppers (1.1 grade) while tolerant to Alternariaster leaf spot. Four SSR markers, viz., ORS-57, ORS-203, ORS-1028 and ORS-598 can be confidently used for the identification of TilhanTec-SUNH-1 as well as for genetic purity tests. Interpretation: The results of this investigation revealed that TilhanTec-SUNH-1 is superior in terms of seed and oil yield and resistance to downy mildew and moderately resistant to leafhoppers and tolerant to Alternariaster leaf spot. It is notified and released by CVRC for commercial cultivation in rainfed conditions of the sunflower growing states of India. Key words: Downy mildew, Heterosis breeding, Molecular markers, Oil yield, Seed yield

DIFFERENT TILLAGE REGIMES' EFFECT ON SOIL-WATER PHYSICAL AND AGROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF SOUTH EAST KAZAKHSTAN

For improvement and rational use of rainfed lands, a study on the influence of different tillage methods proceeded on the soil-water physical relationship and soil agrochemical properties in Southeast Kazakhstan. In the arable soil layer (0–30 cm), the soil density during the studied crop’s life from sowing to harvesting, enhanced to a medium compacted state with the traditional method of tillage (1.28–1.29 g/cm3), slightly higher with the minimum tillage (1.30–1.31 g/cm3), and the highest with zero tillage (1.32–1.33 g/cm3). Tillage with better crumbling, dissolution, and superior ingestion of plant vestiges in the cultivated soil layer contributed to a slight decrease in soil density, both with traditional and minimum tillage regimes. Given the least rainfall in summer, there was a decline in the productive moisture reserves in the soil with customary tillage (15.9–34.5 mm). However, the soil moisture enhanced gradually with reduced tillage, i.e., minimal tillage (20.7–36.7 mm) and zero tillage (29.8–54.8 mm). The nitrate nitrogen content in the soil also decreased from the initial state to the cultivated crops’ harvest, and a significant decrease emerged with zero tillage. The prolonged rainless period, accompanied by a decline in relative air humidity, soil moisture, and temperature increases, affected plants’ physiological processes and, eventually, the studied crops’ yield. In the studied crops, on average, acquiring the highest yield of 1.76 t/ha was with minimal tillage. Based on two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the contributed share of the crops in the grain yield formation was according to crop season, ranging from 0.73% to 2.89%, and the soil cultivation methods’ share was 83.3%–93.8%. The grain yield formation has a greater dependence on the tillage regimes, although that reliance might vary in association with weather conditions during the crop life. In rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan, zero tillage results in a significant reduction in nitrate nitrogen compared with conventional and minimum tillage. Therefore, with no tillage, more nitrogen fertilizer is necessary than usual plowing and the application of potash fertilizers, regardless of tillage methods.

Comparison of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars for productivity and nitrogen-use efficiency under different fertilizer levels in rainfed condition

Response of 9 sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars, viz. 4 hybrids (‘SPH 1820’, ‘SPH 1849’, ‘CSH 25’, ‘CSH 30’) and 5 improved varieties (‘SPV 2433’, ‘SPV 2437’, ‘SPV 2438’, ‘CSV 27’ and ‘CSV 31’), to 3 fertility levels [75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)] under rainfed conditions was studied during the rainy (kharif), season of 2018 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, comprising 27 treatment combinations, each replicated thrice. Results revealed that, fertilization with 125% RDF recorded significantly higher plant height (249.42 cm), dry- matter accumulation pea plant (164.43 g) at harvesting, yield-attributing characters, grain and stover yields (4.06 and 11.12 t/ha respectively) and N-use efficiency than 100% RDF and 75% RDF. Among the hybrids, ‘SPH 1849’ gave the highest grain yield (4.85 t/ha) and among the varieties ‘CSV 31’ showed the highest grain yield (4.08 t/ha). Thus, sorghum genotype ‘SPH 1849’ with 125% RDF application (100 kg N + 50 kg P2 O5 + 50 kg K2 O/ha) showed better performance under rainfed condition in southern Rajasthan.

Effect of Selected Conservation Tillage Practices on Soil Moisture Content and Sorghum Yield under Rainfed Conditions on Sandy Loam Soil

Effect of Selected Conservation Tillage Practices on Soil Moisture Content and Sorghum Yield under Rainfed Conditions on Sandy Loam Soil

Enhancing Chilli Cultivation in Rain-Fed Regions: The Role of Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Gibberellic Acid

Chilli cultivation in rain-fed regions faced challenges due to environmental factors that resulting in reduced yields. To address these challenges and optimize chilli cultivation in such moisture stress conditions, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) as foliar sprays on the growth and yield parameters of chilli plants in 2022 at Ramghat, Surkhet, Nepal. The study utilized a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with different concentrations of NAA and GA3 as treatments, along with a control group. Various growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches and leaves per plant were monitored, along with yield parameters including fruit stalk length, fruit diameter, and yield per plant. The results indicated that NAA at 50 ppm significantly increased plant height, number of branches and leaves per plant compared to the control group at all growing stages. GA3 at different concentrations also generally resulted in higher phenotypic plant characters compared to the control and NAA treatments. However, high concentrations of both NAA and GA3 had negative effects on plant growth. In terms of yield parameters, both NAA and GA3 treatments showed promising results, with increased yield per plant compared to the control group. Notably, GA3 at 50 ppm demonstrated the highest yield per plant. These findings suggest that NAA at 50 ppm and GA3 at 50 ppm had the potential to enhance chilli cultivation in rain-fed regions by improving growth and increasing yields. The study provides valuable insights for chilli farmers especially to mitigate the challenges posed by moisture stress and improve profitability particularly in rain-fed conditions.

Correlate the cyanogenic potential and dry matter content of cassava roots and leaves grown in different environments

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an essential stable food crop in Sub-Saharan Africa commonly consumed amongst the low-income communities in Africa. Though cassava roots and leaf have vast economic and commercial benefits, it produces cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic and most often responsible for the bitter taste of some cassava cultivars. The study evaluates the cassava roots and leaves’ cyanogenic potential and dry matter content of the Genetic Gain Assessment trial grown in a different environment. It establishes the association between the cyanogenic potential (CNP) and the roots and leaves dry matter (DM). Genetic Gain Assessment (GGA) cassava genotypes (N = 400) selected for the Uniform Yield Trial (UYT) breeding stage were planted under IVS (Dry season in Inland Valley Hydromorphic area) and Upland (rain-fed conditions) in two locations of IITA Research Farms, namely; Ibadan (IVS and Upland) and Mokwa (Upland) in Nigeria. The CNP content of cassava leaves in IVS, Mokwa, and Upland ranged from 3.39 to 272.16 mg/100 g, 4.28 to 228.72 mg/100 g, and 13.13 to 127.39 mg/100 g, respectively. However, the respective CNP range in root samples across IVS, Mokwa, and Upland was 0.76–76.31 mg/100 g, 0.94–136.53 mg/100 g, and 2.37–47.11 mg/100 g. Also, the mean ± SD of DM content of leaves were 27.97 ± 3.01%, 28.81 ± 4.01%, and 13.65 ± 3.69%, respectively, in IVS, Mokwa, and Upland, while the root samples had mean ± SD of DM content of 38.09 ± 4.80%, 32.69 ± ,5.93% and 24.63 ± 5.07% respectively. Furthermore, location and genotype had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on the CNP and DM of roots and leaves. Also, linear regressions were established between CNP and DM of root and leaf with regression equation; DM-Root = 1.1999*DM-Leaf (r = 0.956) and CNP-Root = 0.29006*CNP-Leaf (r = 0.54). The relationship between the DM (root and leaf) and CNP (root and leaf) could serve as a valuable “inter-prediction” tool for these parameters.

Assessment of Soil Bulk Density and Moisture Content of Light-Gray-Brown Arable Soils at the Rainfed Condition

The article discusses the effects of different tillage methods, predecessors, and mineral fertilizers on the soil bulk density and soil moisture content of light-gray-brown soils at the rainfed condition. The results of the research conducted during the years 2014-2017 under cereal crops reveal that the soil bulk density and soil moisture content exhibit dynamic changes within the vegetation period, depending on the tillage method, the growth stages of the crops and other factor. Furthermore, there is differentiation in the moisture content and soil bulk density between the topsoil and the subsoil layer. During the research period moisture content varies depending on precipitation, crop growth stages, predecessors. Optimum moisture level is observed within periods of relatively higher precipitation and intensive growth stage of crops. Soil bulk density has varied within the range of 0.97-1.53 g/cm³. Favorable physical condition has been observed under the conventional and minimum tillage. Based on the research findings, the bulk density and moisture content of light-gray-brown arable soils can be assessed satisfactory through relevant quantitative indicators.

Variability in soil properties influencing pigeonpea (Cajanus cajana L.) yield: a multivariate statistical analysis

Aims: The aim of the study was to reveal the variability in soil properties influencing pigeonpea (Cajanus cajana L.) seed yield under semi-arid rainfed condition. Methods: Soils were initially classified into series level and further these series were divided into soil-phase units. For two site years viz., 2018-19 and 2019-20, surface soil samples from each soil-phase unit were collected before sowing of pigeonpea and subsequently crop growth parameters at critical stages were recorded. Results: The principal component analysis with varimax rotation resulted in seven components for both the site years, having eigenvalues greater than one, explained more than 80% of the variability. The step wise linear regression analysis showed that the pigeonpea seed yield was linearly correlated with PC3 (p&lt;0.01), PC4 (p&lt;0.01) and PC7 (p&lt;0.05) of soil properties with R2 = 0.679, during 2018-19. Whereas, during 2019-20, the seed yield was linearly correlated with PC1 (p&lt;0.01), PC3 (p&lt;0.01) and PC6 (p&lt;0.05) with R2 = 0.677. In site year 1, the available P2O5, Fe, Zn, S, Cu, number of pods, surface soil moisture determined the yield. In site year 2, the available K2O, P2O5, Fe, Zn, S, clay, CEC and available water content determined the yield. All these variables together explain variability in yield.

Growth Performance of Photoperiod-Sensitive Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties in Different Soil Types under Rainfed Condition in Cambodia

In Cambodia, rice is predominantly produced in areas with rainfed lowland conditions where photoperiod-sensitive varieties are cultivated. A number of varieties have been released for rainfed lowland areas, and the rice grain yield has reportedly increased by approximately 12% over the past ten years. Moreover, great fluctuations in yield performance have been observed across different soil types of the rainfed ecosystems of Cambodia. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the grain yield and stability among ten popular varieties that were released for rainfed lowland ecosystems across the four different soil types in Cambodia in two years. The grain yield varied 566 g m−2 as the highest in clay soil and about 220 g m−2 as the lowest in sandy soil. A combined ANOVA revealed significant differences for the main effect of genotype, environment, and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) for all yield-related traits and grain yield per square meter. The principal component test results showed that the heterogeneity of grain yield was mainly attributable to the effect of environment, followed by the effect of genotype. In fertile conditions, a higher percentage of filled grains was supported by higher leaf N until the late stage with a wider flag leaf. In conditions of moderate fertility, larger numbers of panicles were supported by a higher percentage of productive culms with higher leaf N until the late stage. In conditions of poor fertility, a higher percentage of filled grains was supported by higher leaf N until the late stage, which is considered to be important for higher grain yield. The variety Phka Rumduol showed these preferable traits and produced higher yields in fertile to poor natural soil fertility conditions with moderate variation. This variety is considered to be more desirable and ideal due to its stability and higher grain yield. The other varieties, namely, Phka Mealdei, Phka Rumdeng, and CAR4, were identified as above-average yielders. Therefore, those varieties potentially may be recommended for cultivation in rainfed lowland rice ecosystems in Cambodia due to their high yields. CAR4 showed moderate variation at the same level as Phka Rumduol. From the point of stability, Phka Rumduol and CAR4 can be expected to excel.