Satisfactory Grain Research Articles

Drought risk management for increased cereal production in Asian Least Developed Countries

Drought stress is a serious abiotic factor inhibiting nutrient acquisition by roots and limiting cereal crop production in Asian Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Many studies revealed that balanced fertilization can improve photosynthetic activity by stabilizing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, improve proline, abscisic acid (ABA) and make the crop drought tolerant with efficient root system and finally improve crop yield. To mitigate drought stress, along with the usage of resistant and efficient genotypes, soil and foliar applications of macro- and micro-nutrients are being used in Asia. According to drought sensitivity index, the efficient genotypes are found more drought-tolerant than the inefficient ones. Studies revealed that irrigation alone is not sufficient to obtain satisfactory grain yield without balanced fertilization. At drought stress, the efficient genotypes accumulate higher quantities of ABA and proline, and exhibit higher activities of SOD, as compared with inefficient genotypes through greater nutrient accumulation by their longer and thinner root systems with high efficiency. Under severe drought with low nutritional status, the rate of photosynthesis, particularly water-use efficiency (WUE) increases in the efficient genotypes than in the inefficient ones. Consequently, these physiological and morphological parameters result in better yield performance by efficient use of water. Under drought, soil application of NPK along with foliar application of zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese (Mn) increase grain yield as well as micronutrients concentration of the grain. The rate of photosynthesis, pollen viability, number of fertile spikes, number of grains per spike, and WUE are increased by late foliar application of these micronutrients. This indicates that, by increasing WUE foliar application of Zn, B and Mn at booting to anthesis can reduce the harmful effects of drought that often occur during the late stages of cereal production in Asian LDCs. Therefore, it can be concluded that soil application of Zn, B and Mn in early stage combined with foliar application in late stage, especially at the flowering stage, is a promising approach to alleviate drought stress. Another attractive environmental friendly approach is to select efficient and drought tolerant genotypes with a more efficient root system. These findings are of high relevance for farmers׳ practices, the extension service and fertilizer industry to mitigate the drought stress in Asian LDCs. A few recommendations are made for extension of scientific knowledge to find more scope in support of mitigating drought situation.

Preparation of a novel Al–3B–5Sr master alloy and its modification and refinement performance on A356 alloy

A novel Al–3B–5Sr master alloy has been prepared through in situ synthesis method in Al melt. The as-prepared master alloy was then used to modify A356 alloy. The microstructures of the Al–3B–5Sr alloy and modified A356 alloy were investigated. The results showed that the Al–3B–5Sr alloy mainly consisted of phases of α-Al and granular SrB6, while the Al–3B–5Sr–7Si alloy contained irregular blocky Al4Sr phase, AlB2 and Si besides the above-mentioned phases. Satisfactory grain refining and modifying effects were obtained by the addition of Al–3B–5Sr alloy (0.5wt.%) to the A356 alloy. Meanwhile, the morphology of eutectic silicon was changed from needle/platelike form to fibrous/globular form. The sizes of the α-Al dendrites decreased from ∼1000μm to ∼300μm. The mechanical properties of A356 alloy has been improved significantly with 0.5wt.% Al–3B–5Sr alloy addition.

Flowering time in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): a key factor for global adaptability

Wheat is one of the most widely cultivated crops and, being the staple diet of more than 40 countries, it plays an imperative role in food security. Wheat has remarkable genetic potential to synchronize its flowering time with favourable environmental conditions. This ability to time its flowering is a key factor for its global adaptability and enables wheat plant to produce satisfactory grain yield under very diverse temperature and soil moisture conditions. Vernalization (Vrn), photoperiod (Ppd) and earliness per se (Eps) are the three genetic systems controlling flowering time in wheat. The objective of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the physiological, molecular and biological aspects of the three genetic constituents of flowering and maturity time in wheat. Reviews written in the past have covered either one of the aspects; and generally focused on one of the three genetic constituents of the flowering time. The current review provides (a) a detailed overview of all three gene systems (vernalization, photoperiod and earliness per se) controlling flowering time, (b) details of the primer sequences, their annealing temperatures and expected amplicon sizes for all known markers of detecting vernalization and photoperiod alleles, and (c) an up to date list of QTLs affecting flowering and/or maturity time in wheat.

Yield performance and grain lipid composition of standard and oleic sunflower as affected by water supply

Sunflower has potential in Mediterranean farming systems because of the modest auxiliary input requirement, appreciable productivity and quality of raw material. These aspects are affected by the interactions among genetic, environmental and agronomic factors, which have not been fully explored. Therefore, the effects of four water regimes as proportion of crop evapotranspiration (0%, 33%, 67%, 100%) on grain yield and its components, oil yield and grain lipid constituents, i.e. fatty acids (FAs), unsaponifiable matter (UM), phytosterol (Phy), policosanol (PC) and tocopherol (Toc) fractions of a standard and an oleic sunflower hybrids were assessed in a 2-year field experiment. The relationships between crop productive traits and oil quality features were also analysed. In general, as the water supply (WS) increased grain yield and related traits as well as achene's lipid synthesis and oil yield of each genotype (G) were positively affected. Conversely, the significant WS × G interaction found for the grain lipid composition indicated that the hybrids responded to different water treatments by modifying the proportions of major FAs as well as the UM and its total Phy, PC and Toc concentrations, with non-univocal percentage changes of their respective compounds. An increase of the unsaturation ratio of oil occurred when water (rainfall + irrigation) input increased, although at different level for each hybrid according to their genetic constitution. Because of the influence of warm climatic conditions, standard hybrid provided oil with an oleic–linoleic acid balance similar to that of mid-oleic typology. Within the oil UM, which contains also bioactive metabolites involved in the resistance of the plant to various abiotic constrains, total Phy concentration increased and total PC concentration decreased as the water (rainfall + irrigation) input was reduced, but to a different extent in the two hybrids. The most effective combinations of studied treatments for total Toc concentration were standard hybrid irrigated at both 33% and 67% of ETc replacement and oleic hybrid without irrigation. The results suggest that growing sunflower in a water-limited Mediterranean-type environment is possible to produce satisfactory grain and oil yields with an appropriate use of irrigation. Some oil quality characteristics suitable for different industrial uses could also be achieved by a combination of WS with standard or oleic typology of sunflower hybrids.

Comparative analysis of leafy and non-leafy silage maize hybrids

Twelve silage hybrids were included in field experiments in Martonvásár in 2007 and 2008 to compare the agronomic traits and chemical quality traits of leafy and non-leafy hybrids. The climatic data for the two experimental years differed considerably. The results reflected the differences in weather conditions. Thanks to the plentiful rainfall in 2008 the hybrids reached their genetically determined height (274.32 cm on average), while in 2007 the average height was only 238.03 cm. In both years a leafy hybrid was the tallest, while the shortest plants were non-leafy. The assimilation leaf area above the main ear was greatest for the five leafy hybrids in both years, with values of 0.35–0.45 m 2 per plant for conventional hybrids and 0.53–0.84 m 2 per plant for leafy hybrids, averaged over the two years. The larger leaf area in leafy hybrids could be attributed both to the larger number of leaves and to the fact that they were broader. The greatest ear mass per plant was produced by Mv Massil (198.66; 320.00 g), a leafy hybrid which also had the greatest leaf area above the main ear. In addition to large green mass (leaf, stalk), an ideal silage maize hybrid should also have satisfactory grain yield. Several of the leafy and non-leafy hybrids in the experiment gave favourable results. In the present experiment the highest starch content was recorded for a leafy hybrid, while the highest protein and oil contents were characteristic of early maturing, non-leafy hybrids. Nevertheless, three of the leafy hybrids had above-average protein content.

Preparation of Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys and their refining efficiency on A356 alloy

Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys with various amounts of Sr were prepared through a method of liquid solidification reactions. The as-prepared Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys were then used as grain refiners to modify A356 alloy. The microstructures of the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr, Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloys and modified A356 alloy were investigated. The results showed that the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr alloy consisted of phases of α-Al, lath-shaped or tiny blocky TiAl 3, granular TiC, and blocky or rim AlTiSr, while the Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloy contained an irregular blocky Al 4Sr phase besides the above-mentioned phases. Satisfactory grain refining and modifying effects were obtained by the addition of Al–Ti–C–Sr alloys (0.5 wt.%) to the A356 alloy. Meanwhile, the sizes of the α-Al dendrites / SDAS(40 µm) decreased to 32.7 µm (or 30 µm).The morphology of eutectic silicon was changed from needle-/platelike form to fibrous/globular form. The grain refinement and modification effects of Al–Ti–C–Sr alloys on A356 alloys were mutually promoted. Compared with the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr alloy, the Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloy possessed higher efficiency in grain refinement and modification of the A356 alloys.

Combined effect and its mechanism of Al–3wt.%Ti–4wt.%B and Al–10wt.%Sr master alloy on microstructures of Al–Si–Cu alloy

The combined effect of Al–3wt.%Ti–4wt.%B and Al–10wt.%Sr on Al–Si–Cu alloy has been investigated. Equiaxed dendritic grain of 100–120 μm was obtained with holding time of at least 240 min through addition of more than 0.020% Ti and 0.026% B, though the laminar morphology of eutectic Si kept unaltered. Eutectic Si was completely modified for more than 240 min through addition of Al–10wt.%Sr which also had some benefit on the refinement of primary α-Al. The combined addition of both Al–3wt.%Ti–4wt.%B and Al–10wt.%Sr led to shorter working time of modification and slightly coarser grain size. The above results are mainly due to the formation of SrB 6 through the reaction between Al–10wt.%Sr and Al–3wt.%Ti–4wt.%B. It was found that satisfactory grain refinement and modification could be attained by suitable addition of both Al–3wt.%Ti–4wt.%B and Al–10wt.%Sr in spite of the formation of SrB 6.

Dry Matter Partitioning between Plant Organs in Wheat Cultivars Differing in Productivity and Drought Resistance

In microplot field experiments conducted over the course of 12 years, the accumulation of dry matter was recorded in the leaves, stems, and ears of the primary shoots of plants of four cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) differing in productivity and drought resistance. The contribution of organs to the accumulation of dry matter by the shoot from emergence to anthesis was calculated, and relative changes in the weight of the ear after anthesis were assessed. In all the cultivars, the contribution of the leaves was the same; however, the share of the ear was greater in short-stem cultivars of the intensive type in which the leaves were more active during the time of grain filling. Furthermore, this load increased, and the relative increment in the ear weight after flowering decreased in the years of drought, because the contribution of the leaves did not depend on water supply during the growing season. During these years, the contribution of the ear increased in the plants of all the cultivars. The authors conclude that, in arid regions, in addition to drought resistance, the cultivar should display such a ratio between the ear weight and the weight of leaves that would still ensure satisfactory grain filling

Breeding strategies for seed protein content and trypsin inhibitors inferred from combining ability and heterosis in test‐crosses of Vicia faba

AbstractThe relative importance of general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA, respectively), amount and causes of heterosis and inferences for breeding strategies were assessed for trypsin inhibitors activity (TIA) and seed protein content (SPC) in Vicia faba test‐crosses. Four lines with low (‘Bond’) and high (‘H2OS’, ‘98/Tunesien’ and ‘Canner Express’) TIA, and two testers (‘Rowena’ and ‘Felicia’) with low TIA were used to produce test‐crosses. GCA accounted for 89% and 57% of the test‐cross sums of squares for SPC and TIA, respectively; SCA accounted for 48% and 34%, and differences between reciprocals for 6% and 9%. Specific heterosis was large only in low TIA × low TIA test‐crosses and tended towards an increased TIA. Epistatic interaction explained the observed specific heterosis for high TIA. Breeding faba bean hybrids for high SPC and low TIA is not convenient because non‐additive gene actions exert minimal effects on SPC or are in the undesired direction for TIA. Selecting inbred lines which combine low TIA, good SPC and satisfactory grain yield is more promising] Rowena and Rowena × Bond are adequate as base materials.

Influences of seed molybdenum and molybdenum application on nitrate reductase activity, shoot dry matter, and grain yields of winter wheat cultivars

The influences of seed molybdenum (Mo) and application of Mo on nitrate reductase activity(NRA) in seedling stage, shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage, and grain yields in harvesting stage were compared among 35 winter wheat cultivars grown on acid yellow brown earths. Seedling NRA was significantly and positively correlated with seed Mo content regardless of further molybdenum application. The correlation of both shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage and grain yields to seed Mo content were also significant in a much less degree under Mo deficiency, but not after molybdenum application. Molybdenum application significantly increased seedling NRA, shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage and grain yields for most cultivars. There were no obvious relationships between molybdenum efficiency ratios and seed molybdenum content. These showed that seed Mo was very important for plant growth, but it was not sufficient to complete the whole life of plant. Therefore, Mo must be applied in order to get satisfactory grain yields from most cultivars. However, a high Mo efficiency genotype (97003) was promising to adapt to Mo deficient soils without added Mo.

Overview no. 84: An analysis of diffusion and diffusional creep in stoichiometric and hyperstoichiometric uranium dioxide

Diffusion and diffusional creep mechanisms are analyzed for stoichiometric and hyperstoichiometric UO 2+ x . A variety of criteria are used in the evaluation based on a critical review of literature data: 1. (1) agreement between measured tracer diffusivities and those calculated from creep rates or reported for sintering; 2. (2) self-consistent values of the activation energies for various diffusion controlled processes; 3. (3) self-consistent and theoretically reasonable stoichiometry dependencies for self-diffusion, creep, and sintering; 4. (4) a satisfactory grain size correlation in the diffusional creep regime. It is conclusively shown that Coble creep is the dominant mechanism for any practical grain size where viscous creep processes are diffusion limited. This conclusion applies at stoichiometric and all oxygen-rich compositions. At low stress interface controlled diffusional creep is an important mechanism. A compilation of the “best” set of uranium grain boundary and lattice diffusivities is presented for the entire range of UO 2+ x stoichiometries.

Behavior of 12kh18n10t steel under conditions of the production of primary alcohols

The use of 12Kh18N10T steel tubes in the production of alcohols by direct hydrogenation of aliphatic acids in cooler condensers was investigated for purposes of reducing the consumption of molybdenum and other scarce metals. A cooler condenser utilizing bundles of the tubes was installed in an apparatus for producing aliphatic acids. After service of 13,683 hours an inspection of tube surfaces showed an absence of significant intergranular corrosion owing to hydrogen. Tensile tests were also conducted. An analysis of metal structure indicated satisfactory grain boundary behavior and an absence of microblisters and led to the recommendation of this steel for use in such tubes provided that the return water is cleaned of oxygen and chlorides specifically conducive to the corrosion of the steel.

SOURCES OF COLD TOLERANCE IN GRAIN SORGHUM

The term "cold tolerance" refers to the ability of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes to germinate, grow and produce satisfactory grain yields under conditions of relatively cold (but above-freezing) air and soil temperatures. Sources of cold tolerance and their usefulness in grain sorghum were investigated. Of 380 excessively tall, photoperiod-sensitive, and late-maturing accessions obtained from China, Ethiopia, and Uganda, 39 were cold-tolerant, 157 partially tolerant, and the remainder were susceptible when rated at physiological maturity. Highest levels of cold tolerance were found among accessions from Ethiopia (e.g. Alemaya 70, Jejewegere 935, and Muyra) and Uganda (Mabere, Magune, and Nyundo). Cold tolerance appeared to be a dominant trait. However, in cold-susceptible × cold-tolerant crosses there was a wide range of variation among cold-tolerant genotypes, and the frequency of highly tolerant segregates was less than 10% in the F2, suggesting that several genes controlled the inheritance of the character and that their effects were largely cumulative. A relatively large number of dwarf, photoperiod-insensitive, early-maturing, and cold-tolerant experimental lines were developed. Some of these were very well adapted to the highlands of Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. In general, they were poorly adapted to high-latitude sites in the northwestern USA, southern Canada and West Germany.Key words: Cold-tolerant sorghum, adaptation, international testing, Sorghum bicolor

EFFETS DE DIFFERENTS TAUX DE FUMIER SUR LES POPULATIONS DE MAUVAISES HERBES, LA VERSE ET LE RENDEMENT EN GRAINS DES CEREALES

The effect of four rates (9–36 t/ha) of sheep manure applied in the fall was compared to conventional inorganic fertilization (49 kg of N, 60 kg of P2O5 and 60 kg of K2O/ha) applied at seeding on three species of cereals. Weed populations, lodging and grain yields were recorded on oats (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from 1976 to 1978 on the St-André sandy loam and in 1977 and 1978 on the Kamouraska clay. The manure applied came from sheep fed entirely with hay silage. The various rates of sheep manure had no effect on weed population since no significant difference has been observed between the organic and inorganic fertilization. Lodging did not occur in any of the plots, irrespective of the soil type, during the 3 yr of the experiment. For the two soil types, the grain yields of oats, barley and wheat were usually higher on plots that received 27–36 t/ha of sheep manure than on plots that received inorganic fertilizer. The rates of 9 and 18 t/ha of manure resulted in grain yields significantly lower. An application on all plots of 15 kg/ha of inorganic nitrogen in the spring of 1978 has sensibly increased the grain yield. These results suggest that the fall spreading and the incorporation into the soil of 36 t/ha of sheep manure followed by an application of about 15 kg/ha of inorganic nitrogen in the spring provide a very satisfactory grain yield and do not increase the incidence of lodging and weed infestation.

The effects of cattle slurry and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and quality of spring barley

SummaryIn experiments over 3 years (1974–6) cow slurry in the range 0–112·5 t/ha and ammonium nitrate in the range 0–120 kg N/ha were applied to field plots factorially to test the effects on the yield and quality of spring barley grain.In 1974 slurry application markedly improved the grain yield (cv. Golden Promise) at each rate of inorganic N and increased grain size. Applying N fertilizer with more than 37·5 t slurry/ha reduced grain yield below the maximum. Grain with the highest crude protein content (15·1 %) was obtained from a combination of slurry and inorganic N. The residual effects of the slurry treatments gave satisfactory grain yields in 1975 without additional fertilizer.Grain yields (cvs Julia and Abacus) in other experiments carried out on a different soil type in 1975 and 1976 were approximately half those obtained in 1974, due in part to drought conditions. The pattern of the results was similar. Heaviest grain yields were harvested from plots receiving 70 t slurry/ha with no additional N.

Influence of Soil Materials in Copper Mine Wastes on the Growth and Quality of Barley Grain

AbstractExperiments were conducted in Arizona to study the effects of four soil materials in copper mine wastes (desert, overburden, tailing‐overburden, and tailing) on the growth, grain yield, and grain quality of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. emend Lam.). Barley was effective in the revegetation and stabilization of the four soil materials in Cu mine wastes. It also provided needed organic matter to be incorporated into the surface 15 cm, which created a more suitable soil medium for the establishment of perennial grass species. When grown in desert soil and overburden, barley produced taller plants, more vegetative plants, higher grain yields, and grain of higher quality than when it was produced in tailing‐overburden and tailing soil materials. Barley can be used effectively to produce satisfactory grain yields and grain of suitable quality for livestock and wildlife feed in the rehabilitation of desert soil, overburden, tailing‐overburden, and tailing soil materials in copper mine wastes.

THE FEEDING VALUE OF TARTARY BUCKWHEAT FOR RUMINANTS

The average composition (dry matter basis) of 14 samples of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) grown in New Brunswick in 1975 was crude protein 10.2 ± 0.25%, neutral detergent fiber 32.2 ± 1.3%, acid detergent fiber 22.4 ± 0.4%, crude fiber 16.3 ± 0.4% and lysine 5.8% of the total crude protein. The digestibility coefficients determined with sheep for buckwheat dry matter (67.5%) and energy (64.1%) were about 85% of the values obtained for barley. The apparent digestibility of buckwheat protein was 53.8% as compared to 71% for barley protein. Processing the buckwheat by dry-rolling or pelleting-whole did not affect its digestibility. There was no significant difference in rate of gain of steers fed corn silage ad libitum and equal amounts (2.1 kg/day) of digestible dry matter from steam-rolled barley or pelleted-whole buckwheat. Steers fed dry-rolled buckwheat failed to consume the total daily allowance of 3.6 kg of buckwheat and did not gain as fast (P < 0.01) as those fed the barley (0.98 vs. 1.11 kg/day). It was concluded that tartary buckwheat is a satisfactory grain substitute for ruminant animals and has about 85% of the digestible energy content of barley. Pelleted-whole buckwheat was more palatable than the dry-rolled form.

Effect of water management and weed control treatments on the performance of transplanted <i>aman</i> rice

A study was conducted from June to December 2003 to assess weed dynamics and yield performance of transplanted aman rice (cv. BRRI Dhan39) in different weed control treatments e.g. two hand weedings at 15 and 40 DAT; Weeding by BRRI Weeder at 20 and 40 DAT; Rifit 500EC @ 1L/ha at 7 DAT; Rifit 500EC @ 1 L/ha at 7 DAT and one hand weeding at 40 DAT; Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha at 7 DAT; Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha at 7 DAT and one hand weeding at 40 DAT along with weed free and unweeded check under both good and poor water management practices. Weed density, weed biomass and weed control efficiency were significantly influenced by different weed control treatments under both water management practices. Other than weed free treatment, Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ha applied at 7 DAT along with one hand weeding at 40 DAT showed the best performance under good water management with minimum weed density (16 g/m2) as well as weed biomass (9.27 g/m2) and the highest weed control efficiency (82.57%). Yield and yield components were also significantly influenced by different weed control treatments and water management. The highest grain yield (5.22 t/ha) was obtained under good water management in weed free treatment followed by Butachlor 5G @ 2 kg/ ha and one hand weeding (4.96 t/ha) under same water management. Results revealed that integration of approaches, particularly Butachlor application along with one manual weeding accompanied by proper water management might be the best option to combat weed problems as well as to obtain satisfactory grain yield in transplanted aman rice. Key Words: Transplanted aman rice, water management, weed control treatment and yield. doi:10.3329/bjar.v33i3.1599 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 33(3) : 399-408, September 2008