Significant Differences In Yield Research Articles

Impact of Prebiotic on Viability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum D-2 by Encapsulation through Spray Drying and Its Commercialization Potential.

This study investigated the impact of inulin (INL) on viability of L. plantarum D-2 (LPD2) by encapsulation through spray drying (SD) and its commercialization potential to alternative of conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD). LPD2, derived from sea tangle (Saccharina japonica) kimchi, is probiotics exhibiting significant attributes like cholesterol reduction, antioxidant properties, and resilience to acidic and bile environments. To enhance storage viability and stability of LPD2, encapsulation was applied by SD technology. The optimum encapsulation condition with MD was 10% MD concentration (MD10) and inlet temperature (96°C). The optimum concentration ratio of MD and INL was 7:3 (INL3) for alternative of MD with similar encapsulation yield and viability of LPD2. Viability of LPD2 with INL3 exhibited almost 8% higher than that with MD10 after 50 days storage at 25°C. Physicochemical characteristics of the encapsulated LPD2 (ELPD2) with MD10 and INL3 had no significant different between flowability and morphology. But, ELPD2 with INL3 had lower water solubility and higher water absorption resulting in extension of viability of LPD2 compared to that with MD10. The comprehensive study results showed that there was no significant difference in the encapsulation yield and physicochemical properties between ELPD2 with MD10 and INL3, except of water solubility index (WSI) and water absorption index (WAI). INL have the potential to substitute of MD as a commercial wall material with prebiotic functionality to enhance the viability of LPD2 by encapsulation.

Evaluation of the Off-season Production of Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Mongar

Bulb onion is one of the important commercial crops cultivated by the farmers in all the districts, and onion has been identified as one of the mandatory vegetable crops in Bhutan. The crop requires about five to six-month growing period from sowing till harvest. The harvest season coincides with the onset of the monsoon season and post-harvest losses due to high humidity and poor post-harvest management are high. With steady demand for the crop throughout the year and low domestic production, the current production cannot meet the market demand. Hence, substantial quantities of bulb onion are imported. Promotion of off-season bulb onion production with the harvest season during the dry season could minimize post-harvest losses and make it available in the market all year round. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate two bulb onion varieties, namely Pune Red and Pink onion 1358 for off-season production. The experiment was conducted at Lingmethang (600 masl) and Wengkhar (1650 masl) in the 2022 cropping season in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and two treatments. The results indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05) in bulb height, weight, plant height, and neck diameter but no significant difference in bulb width. The maximum bulb weight 306.7 g was recorded at the Lingmethang station in the Pink 1358 variety. The yield obtained was 18.68 MT/acre for Pink 1358, 19.20 MT/acre for Pune Red at Lingmethang station, and 13.35 MT/acre for Pink 1358, 13.08 MT/acre for Pune Red at Wengkhar station. However, there was no significant difference (P >0.05) in yield in both stations. This study found that bulb onion production is feasible between August to March months in the mid-elevations upto 1650 masl. However, the best location for bulb onion production would be in the lower elevation where the yields are higher compared to the mid-elevation.

Combined Application of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers: Effects on Yield and Soil Nutrients in Spring Wheat under Drip Irrigation

In this study, we established a feasible fertilization programming method for wheat production by exploring the effects of the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers on wheat yield, nutrient uptake, soil nutrient content, and fertilizer utilization. Six treatments, no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF), optimized fertilizer (with reduced fertilizer amount) (RF), chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer extract (RPAE), partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw amino acid powder (RAF), and partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw humic acid powder (RHF), were set up for a field experiment. The fertilizer application rates for the RF treatment were calculated based on fertilization-monitoring techniques (30.3% nitrogen and 24.8% phosphorus reductions in 2022 and 23.0% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions in 2023). The effects of different fertilizer treatments on yield, dry matter accumulation, plant nutrient accumulation, soil nutrients, and nutrient utilization in wheat were investigated. The results showed that, on the basis of 23% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions, there was no significant difference in wheat yield between the RF and CF treatments and that the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer was improved. The application of organic fertilizer promoted dry matter accumulation in different organs of wheat; increased plant nutrient accumulation; improved soil nutrient content, nutrient utilization rate, nutrient partial productivity, and nutrient agronomic use efficiency; and ensured stable and increased crop yield. Specifically, compared with CF, the RPAE, RAF, and RHF organic fertilizer treatments increased wheat yield by 3.85%, 1.97%, and 0.67%, respectively, and the utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers induced by these treatments significantly increased by 40.46%, 39.28%, and 37.46% (nitrogen) and by 9.83%, 8.91%, and 7.46% (phosphorus), respectively. As a result of our experiment, we concluded that RPAE exerted the best effects among the three organic fertilizer treatments (RPAE, RAF, and RHF) and that its use can result in a higher wheat yield and fertilizer utilization rate in drip-irrigated wheat fields. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers, which is conducive to sustainable agriculture development.

Impact of Different Substrates on Growth and Yield of Schizophyllum commune Fr.

Schizophyllum communeFr. is an edible medicinal mushroom also known as white rot fungus that develops naturally on dead woods which belongs to the phylumBasidiomycota, order Agaricales, family Schizophyllaceae.To find out most suitable growing substrates, mushroom was cultivated on 6 locally available substrates including different saw dust i.e.Babool (Vachellianilotica),Bija (Petrocarpus marsupium),Sal (Shorea robusta),Sagwan (Tectona grandis) and different strawi.e. Paddy straw(PS) and Wheat straw(WS). Among the different substrates,on an average,WS took shortest time for mycelial run (6.50 days), longest time(8.62 days) taken by Bija (P. marsupium). Pinhead initiation was fastest (8.50 days) in WS while, Bija (P. marsupium)took more time period(10.62 days) for pinhead initiation. The Maximum yield was obtained from WS (148.37gm) with biological efficiency (29.6%) followed by PS(116.12 gm) with biological efficiency (23.2%). The lowest yield was obtained from saw dust of Bija (P. marsupium)(60.50gm) with biological efficiency (10.40%).There was significant difference in yield when supplement (wheat bran)was mixed with substrates, however there was no significant difference observed in mycelial run and pinhead initiation.

Abstract 3662: Cell-free DNA dynamics following neuroblastoma resection

Abstract Introduction: Prior studies have demonstrated the utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker in the postoperative period for oncologic risk stratification. However, its utility may be limited in the early postoperative period by surgical trauma causing an increase in total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) due to tissue destruction, inflammation, and wound healing. No studies have identified the optimal timing of postoperative sample collection in pediatric patients undergoing resection of high-risk neuroblastoma. The purpose of this study is to assess the postoperative dynamics of cfDNA following neuroblastoma resection to determine optimal timing for ctDNA investigations. Methods: An institutional database of banked cell-free DNA samples was retrospectively queried for patients with a diagnosis of neuroblastoma who had blood samples collected prior to resection and postoperative samples collected within 2 months of the operation. Plasma was collected from whole blood samples. cfDNA was extracted from plasma samples using the QIAGEN QIAsymphony SP system, and samples were quantified using the Advanced Analytical Fragment Analyzer Automated CE System with the High Sensitivity Genomic DNA Analysis Kit. Results: Seventeen patients were identified undergoing 18 total operations and 37 total blood draws yielding cfDNA. There were 12 male and 5 female patients. Median age at operation was 5.5 years (range 1.4y to 20.5y). Two patients were INRG stage L2, and 15 patients were stage M. Operative indications were primary tumor resection in 10 patients and resection of recurrence/progression in 8 patients. Three postoperative samples were drawn within 10 days of the operation, and 16 samples were collected between postoperative weeks 4 and 6. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.029) in cfDNA yield between each timepoint sampled: preoperative (median 6ng/mL, range 2-30ng/mL), 0-10 days postop (median 34ng/mL, range 15 - 85 ng/mL), and 4-6 weeks postop (median 6ng/mL, range 2 - 17ng/mL). Pairing the pre- and post-operative samples for each patient, those drawn within 10 days had a median increased yield of 180% (range +67% to +652%) while the samples collected at 4-6 weeks had a median decreased yield of 23% (range -55% to +491%; p = 0.047). Of note, there were three outliers in the 4-6 week group who had increases in cfDNA yield of >200%. On further review of these charts, each patient was being treated for obstructive uropathy at the time the postoperative sample was collected. Conclusion: Plasma cfDNA yield increases in the early postoperative period before dropping by postoperative week 6. Tumor resection may be associated with an overall decrease in total cfDNA. Postoperative renal pathology may cause a persistent elevation in cfDNA. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of ctDNA in the management of patients with neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Joshua N. Honeyman, Andrew Chi, Shakeel Modak, Fiorella Iglesias Cardenas, Michael P. La Quaglia, Neerav N. Shukla, J. Ted Gerstle. Cell-free DNA dynamics following neuroblastoma resection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3662.

Effects of irrigation and fertilization with biochar on the growth, yield, and water/nitrogen use of maize on the Guanzhong Plain, China

Excessive water and nitrogen inputs in agricultural production can result in resource wastage and environmental pollution. This makes it imperative to identify effective farmland management strategies to ensure sustainable agriculture development, and it remains to be explored whether biochar can be an effective solution. In this study, a 2-year (2021 and 2022) field experiment was conducted with two irrigation levels, W100 (ET) and W80 (0.8 ET), and three nitrogen fertilizer levels, NH (270 kg ha−1), NM (180 kg ha−1), and NL (90 kg ha−1), in full combination with biochar (30 t ha−1). The NM and N0 treatments without biochar at both irrigation levels were set as controls. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference in maize yield between the high and medium N treatments. Further, maximum water productivity (WP), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE), and nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE) were obtained in NM treatments when water and nitrogen were kept consistent. Deficit irrigation was effective in reducing water consumption and increased WP by 15.54% and 11.06% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Biochar application increased WP, nitrogen use efficiencies, and significantly increased the yield by 7.02% and 6.46% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Therefore, the application of biochar can be an effective measure to promote crop growth and resource use. Based on the results of this experiment, an irrigation level of 0.8 ET in combination with NM and biochar application is recommended to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production.

Assessment of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) Cultivation under Two Irrigation Systems in Central Iraq

A field experiment was conducted in the Abbasiya area of Najaf Governorate, located in the Middle Euphrates region during the winter season of 2022-2023. The primary focus of the study was to evaluate the performance of two irrigation systems, nano-irrigation, and subsurface drip irrigation, on broccoli plants grown in clay soil. The experimental design followed a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). Nano-irrigation demonstrated several advantages over subsurface drip irrigation. It exhibited a reduction inater con-sumption and lower energy requirements for water pumping opera-tions. Notably, the root length of broccoli plants was significantly greater under the nano-irrigation system, with an increase of 18.2 cm compared to the drip irrigation system. The use of nano-irrigation resulted in better water use efficiency and energy efficien-cy, leading to improved root development in the broccoli plants. The study results indicated that nano-irrigation offers benefits in terms of water conservation and plant growth promotion, ultimately leading to increased overall productivity. This makes nano-irrigation an appealing option for improving water use efficiency in agriculture, particularly in regions that face water scarcity. Moreo-ver, there was no significant difference in yield between the nano-irrigation and subsurface drip irrigation systems.

The effect of the biopreparation Avatar-2 Zahyst application on seed potato productivity and viral diseases infestation in condition of southwestern Forest Steppe part of Ukraine

Goal. To establish the effect of a multicomponent preparation of biologic origin on seed potato productivity and viral diseases infestation in condition of southwestern Forest Steppe of Ukraine.
 Methods. Field method — the trial plots were set in selection-seed production rotation of Bukovinian state agricultural research station of Carpathian region Institute of agriculture NAAS. Laboratory-field method — determining crop capacity and tubers structure in a yield. Visual method — plants infestation assessment. Comparative-calculated method — to determine the potato stands productivity and viral diseases infestation degree.
 Results. Avatar-2 Zahyst is a system-contact preparation of virulicidal, fungicidal, and antibacterial action. It is recommended for use on grain, technical, vegetable-, and fruit crops. The preparation is used for pre-sowing seed treatment, as well as for vegetating plants treatment. When determining the seed potato productivity depending on the biopreparation Avatar-2 Zahyst implementation, no significant difference in tubers yield was established; on the variety Slauta it stayed within 34.5—36.3 t/ hа, and on the variety Kimmeria 36.7—37.4 t/ hа. No any significant difference was established also in quantity and tubers mass per one bush, as well as in one tuber average mass, and tubers fractional composition in a harvest. When determining plants infestation with viral diseases, it was established, that the biopreparation Avatar 2 Zahyst application has influenced the decrease of seed potato stands infestation. The variety Slauta damage on the variant with seed poisoning and three-times spraying during vegetation made 2.5%, which is by 2—3% lower than on the control variant. The infestation of plants where only seed poisoning was implemented made 3—4%, when of those where three-times preparation application was carried out during vegetation — 2.0—4.0%, which is by 0.5—2.5 and 1.5—2.5% lower than the control variant, respectively. The same tendency was observed during the variety Kimmeria investigation.
 Conclusions. The use of the biological product Avatar-2 Zahyst does not give a significant difference in the yield of tubers. The introduction of the biological product Avatar 2 Zahyst influenced the reduction of the incidence of viral diseases in potato seed plantations.

Optimal N fertilizer management method for improving maize lodging resistance and yields by combining controlled-release urea and normal urea

Despite being an efficient nitrogen (N) management method, the effects of controlled-release urea combined with normal urea (CRUNU) on stem and root lodging and yield in maize have been rarely reported. Therefore, we conducted a field trial for three years between 2020 and 2022 using two N fertilizer types (CRUNU and normal urea (NU)) and three N application levels (low: 135 kg N ha–1; medium: 180 kg N ha–1; and high: 225 kg N ha–1) to evaluate their effects on stem and root lodging and the yield in maize, and the factors involved. The results showed that, compared with NU, CRUNU reduced the stem and root lodging rate under the three N application rates, and all were lowest under the medium N application rate. The decreased stem and root lodging rate was mainly attributed to the improved the synchronization of nitrogen supply and demand, reduced population traits (plant height, ear height, and center of gravity height), improved morphological traits (length and mass density) for the basal second, third, and fourth internodes (I2, I3, and I4), increased mechanical properties (stem breaking strength and rind penetration strength), greater stem lodging resistance index (SLRI), enhanced chemical compositions (lignin and its related synthetase activities, cellulose, and hemicellulose) in I2, I3, and I4, and increases in the stem bending strength, root average diameter, and vertical root-pulling resistance under CRUNU. In addition, the SLRI values for different internodes followed the order of: I2 > I3 > I4, thereby indicating that I2 and I3 played important roles in stem lodging resistance. Furthermore, compared with NU, the maize grain yield increased by 1.27–44.83% under CRUNU with the three N application rates. In particular, there was no significant difference in the grain yield between the high and medium N application rates under CRUNU. In conclusion, CRUNU combined with N application at a rate of 180 kg ha–1 may be a superior N fertilizer management method.

Resistance management and integrated pest management insights from deployment of a Cry3Bb1+ Gpp34Ab1/Tpp35Ab1 pyramid in a resistant western corn rootworm landscape.

In Nebraska USA, many populations of western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, now exhibit some level of resistance to all corn rootworm-active Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) proteins expressed in commercial hybrids. Therefore, a study was conducted in northeast Nebraska from 2020-2022 to reevaluate current corn rootworm management options in continuous maize (consecutive planting for ≥2 years). Results from on-farm experiments to evaluate a standard soil-applied insecticide (Aztec® 4.67G) in combination with non-rootworm Bt or rootworm-active Bt pyramided maize (Cry3Bb1 + Gpp34Ab1/Tpp35Ab1) are reported within the context of WCR Bt resistance levels present. Corrected survival from Bt pyramid single-plant bioassays (<0.3, 0.3-0.49, >0.5) was used to place populations into 3 resistance categories. Variables evaluated included root injury, adult emergence, proportion lodged maize, and grain yield. Key results: A composite analysis of all populations across resistance levels indicated that addition of soil insecticide to Bt pyramid significantly reduced adult emergence and lodging but did not significantly increase root protection or yield. Within and among resistance category analyses of root injury revealed that the Bt pyramid remained highly efficacious at any non-rootworm Bt root injury level when resistance was absent or low. When corrected survival was >0.3, mean Bt pyramid root injury tracked more closely in a positive linear fashion with mean non-rootworm Bt root injury (rootworm density x level of resistance interaction). Similar trends were obtained for adult emergence but not yield. Mean Bt pyramid root injury rating was <0.75 in most populations with Bt resistance, which contributed to no significant yield differences among categories. Results are discussed within the context of IPM:IRM tradeoffs and the need to reduce WCR densities in this system to decrease the impact of the density x resistance interaction to bridge use of current pyramids with new technologies introduced over the next decade.

Yield, lodging, and water use efficiency of Tef [Eragrostis tef (zucc) Trotter] in response to carbonized rice husk application under variable moisture condition.

Terminal drought and lodging are among the major yield-limiting factors for tef cultivation in the highly weathered soils of the Ethiopian highlands. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the yield and lodging responses of tef to varying moisture depletion levels (MDL) and the application of carbonized rice husk (CRH). A two-year 4×4 factorial experiment with 20, 35, 55, and 75% MDL and 0, 291, 582, and 873 kg ha-1 of CRH was laid out in a split-plot design, with each treatment replicated four times. The pooled mean ANOVA showed leaf area index (LAI) and lodging index (LI) were not significantly influenced by the main and interaction effects of MDL and CRH (p > 0.05); however, individual year ANOVA showed that both LI and LAI were influenced by the interaction of MDL and CRH (p<0.05) in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The lowest LI (19.7%) was obtained from the application of 873 kg CRH ha-1, followed by 20.6% from 582 kg CRH ha-1 in 2022. A 20.7% LI reduction was recorded in 2022 compared to 2021. Tef plant height and number of tillers per plant were significantly affected by MDL at p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively, but not by CRH and its interaction with MDL. The effect of MDL was significant on tef HI (p<0.01) but not on traits including grain yield, straw yield, and water use efficiency. In conclusion, the pooled mean analysis result showed that, though there was no significant difference in yield, tef irrigated at 55% MDL provided a maximum HI of 33.8%, which was 6.21% more than the control, and increased the level of lodging resistance with a LI of 31.9%, which was next to 75% MDL with 582 kg ha-1 CRH. The authors suggested that the research should further be verified across locations for wide application.

Relationship between mineral fertilization, plant macro- and microelement contents and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract. The effectiveness of mineral fertilization on wheat productivity was determined in a field experiment on Alluvial-meadow soil (Fluvisol, FAO 2015) at the experimental field of Tsalapitsa village, Plovdiv region, during 2019-2020. Four increasing rates of nitrogen fertilization along with a constant background of phosphorus fertilization were tested in the following variants: N40P100; N80P100; N120P100; N160P100, and N0P0 (control) – without any fertilization. The influence of these variants on yield and the content of basic macro- and microelements in wheat’s dry biomass were assessed. Plant samples were collected at the full maturity phase of wheat, with each variant sampled in triplicate, to determine the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe. Correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to identify dependencies between observed variables. Significant differences between the variants for N% content in grain, chaff and straw of wheat were established. The highest nitrogen values were observed in the grain of the N160P100 and N120P100 variants, at 2.10% and 2.02%, respectively. The applied fertilization had a significant positive effect on the accumulation of potassium, calcium, copper, manganese and iron in wheat biomass. This finding was supported by the correlation coefficients between fertilizer rates and N (R = 0.948), Ca (R = 0.854), Cu (R = 0.681), Mn (R = 0.735), and Fe (R = 0.769) in the wheat grain. Significant yield differences were observed among the variants, with the highest yield recorded for N120P100 (7123.0 kg/ha), more than tripling that of the control variant. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the total biomass of wheat increased depending on the fertilization rates and it was the highest in the N120P100 variant.

Development of a new method for extracting histamine from marine fish flesh using the salting-out technique.

A simple and practical method was developed to extract histamine from fish products using sodium chloride (NaCl). After obtaining a saline extract from fish samples, histamine was derivatized by a condensation reaction with ortho-phthalaldehyde. Fluorescence intensity was measured by a fluorimeter. The first part of this work concerned a solid-liquid extraction tested with samples from the food analysis performance assessment scheme. The best histamine extraction yield (97%) was obtained using an extraction time of 4 minutes, a temperature of 40°C, and a NaCl/water ratio of 41% (w/w). The second part focused on a liquid-liquid extraction carried out on standard solutions of histamine (45, 90, and 180 mg/kg). The use of NaCl (41%) and trichloroacetic acid [(TCA) 10%] did not show any significant difference in extraction yield. The yield obtained was 99.15-100.1% for TCA (10%) and 98.65-99.45% for NaCl (41%). The validation criteria (repeatability and reproducibility) were checked by evaluating the reliability of the method. Extraction using NaCl has proven to be an interesting alternative method for the extraction of histamine from fish, as it is reliable, inexpensive, and less hazardous.

Choice of DNA extraction method affects stool microbiome recovery and subsequent phenotypic association analyses

The lack of standardization in the methods of DNA extraction from fecal samples represents the major source of experimental variation in the microbiome research field. In this study, we aimed to compare the metagenomic profiles and microbiome–phenotype associations obtained by applying two commercially available DNA extraction kits: the AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini Kit (APK) and the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit (FSK). Using metagenomic sequencing data available from 745 paired fecal samples from two independent population cohorts, Lifelines-DEEP (LLD, n = 292) and the 500 Functional Genomics project (500FG, n = 453), we confirmed significant differences in DNA yield and the recovered microbial communities between protocols, with the APK method resulting in a higher DNA concentration and microbial diversity. Further, we observed a massive difference in bacterial relative abundances at species-level between the APK and the FSK protocols, with > 75% of species differentially abundant between protocols in both cohorts. Specifically, comparison with a standard mock community revealed that the APK method provided higher accuracy in the recovery of microbial relative abundances, with the absence of a bead-beating step in the FSK protocol causing an underrepresentation of gram-positive bacteria. This heterogeneity in the recovered microbial composition led to remarkable differences in the association with anthropometric and lifestyle phenotypes. The results of this study further reinforce that the choice of DNA extraction method impacts the metagenomic profile of human gut microbiota and highlight the importance of harmonizing protocols in microbiome studies.

Selection for representative environment to identify high yielding and sweetness levels of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Indonesia

Abstract. Solihin E, Santosa DA, Nugroho B, Purwono, Sudirja R, Maulana H, Kamaluddin NN, Karuniawan A, Anwar S. 2024. Selection for representative environment to identify high yield and sweetness levels of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 386-391. Sweet potato is one of the important and commercial agricultural commodities in the world. Yield and sweetness levels are important traits that can influence consumer preferences. Environment is an important factor in the development of sweet potatoes. A suitable environment will provide high yields and good quality. The objectives of this study were to examine the significance and relevance of sweet potato yield and sweetness levels in two locations (Sumedang and Bandung District) and to select representative environments for sweet potato yield and sweetness levels. The research was conducted in Sumedang and Bandung districts on lowland paddy field and dry land. The field experiment used a factorial randomized completed block design with three repetitions. The significance and relevance of sweet potato yield and sweetness levels was analysis using T-test. Representative environments were identified by GGE biplot. The results showed that the Bandung and Sumedang environments showed significant differences in yield but not in sweetness. The Bandung paddy field is the most representative environment for yield, while the Sumedang dry field and Bandung dry field are the most representative environments for sweetness. The results of this research can be used by researchers, farmers and industrial users in the sweet potato development program, especially the yield and yield quality.

Effects of Biochar Application Two Years Later on N2O and CH4 Emissions from RiceVegetable Rotation in a Tropical Region of China

The effects of biochar application on soil nitrous oxide （N2O） and methane （CH4） emissions in a typical rice-vegetable rotation system in Hainan after two years were investigated. The aim was to clarify the long-term effects of biochar on greenhouse gas emissions under this model， and it provided a theoretical basis for N2O and CH4 emission reduction in rice-vegetable rotation systems in tropical regions of China. Four treatments were set up in the field experiment， including no nitrogen fertilizer control （CK）； nitrogen， phosphorus， and potassium fertilizer （CON）； nitrogen， phosphorus， and potassium fertilizer combined with 20 t·hm-2 biochar （B1）； and nitrogen， phosphorus， and potassium fertilizer combined with 40 t·hm-2 biochar （B2）. The results showed that： ① compared with that in the CON treatment， the B1 and B2 treatments significantly reduced N2O emissions by 32% and 54% in the early rice season （P &lt; 0.05， the same below）， but the B1 and B2 treatments significantly increased N2O emissions by 31% and 81% in the late rice season. The cumulative emissions of N2O in the pepper season were significantly higher than those in the early and late rice seasons， and the B1 treatment significantly reduced N2O emissions by 35%. There was no significant difference between the B2 and CON treatments. ② Compared with that in the CON treatment， B1 and B2 significantly reduced CH4 emissions by 63% and 65% in the early rice season， and the B2 treatment significantly increased CH4 emissions by 41% in the late rice season. There was no significant difference between the B1 and CON treatments. There was no significant difference in cumulative CH4 emissions between treatments in the pepper season. ③ The late rice season contributed to the main global warming potential （GWP） of the rice-vegetable rotation system， and CH4 emissions determined the magnitude of GWP and greenhouse gas emission intensity （GHGI）. After two years of biochar application， B1 reduced the GHGI of the whole rice-vegetable rotation system， and B2 increased the GHGI and reached a significant level. However， the B1 and B2 treatments significantly reduced GHGI in the early rice season and pepper season， and only the B2 treatment increased GHGI in the late rice season. ④ Compared with that in the CON treatment， the B1 and B2 treatments significantly increased the yield of early rice by 33% and 51%， and the B1 and B2 treatments significantly increased the yield of pepper season by 53% and 81%. In the late rice season， there was no significant difference in yield except for in the CK treatment without nitrogen fertilizer. The results showed that the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions in the tropical rice-vegetable rotation system was mainly determined by CH4 emissions in the late rice season. After two years of biochar application， only low biochar combined with nitrogen fertilizer had a significant emission reduction effect， but high and low biochar combined with nitrogen fertilizer increased the yield of early rice and pepper crops continuously.

Effects of irrigation scheduling on the yield and irrigation water productivity of cucumber in coconut coir culture

Optimum irrigation scheduling is important for ensuring high yield and water productivity in substrate-cultivated vegetables and is determined based on information such as substrate water content, meteorological parameters, and crop growth. The aim of this study was to determine a precise irrigation schedule for coconut coir culture in a solar greenhouse by comparing the irrigation, evapotranspiration (ET), substrate water content (VWC), as well as the crop growth indices and yield of cucumber, and irrigation water productivity (IWP) under three irrigation schedules: the soil moisture sensor-based method (T-VWC), the accumulated radiation combined with soil moisture sensor-based method (Rn-VWC), and the crop evapotranspiration estimated method using the hourly PM-ETo equation with an improved calculation of Kc (T-ETc). The results showed that the daily irrigation and evapotranspiration amount were the highest under T-VWC treatment, while the lowest under T-ETc treatment. In different meteorological environments, the change in irrigation amount was more consistent with the ET,and the VWC was relatively stable in T-ETc treatment compared with that under T-VWC or Rn-VWC treatments. The plant height, leaves number, leaf area, and stem diameter of T-VWC and Rn-VWC treatments were higher than those of the T-ETc treatments, but there was no significant difference in cucumber yield. Compared with the T-VWC treatment, total irrigation amount under Rn-VWC and T-ETc treatments significantly decreased by 25.75% and 34.04%, respectively (P<0.05\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\hbox {P}<0.05$$\\end{document}). The highest IWP values of 25.07 kg m-3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{-3}$$\\end{document} was achieved from T-ETc treatment with significantly increasing by 44.33% compared to the T-VWC treatment (17.37 kg m-3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{-3}$$\\end{document}). In summary, the T-ETc treatment allowed more reasonable irrigation management and was appropriate for growing cucumber in coconut coir culture.

Grain Yield and Yield Attributes of Currently Popular Hybrid Rice Varieties Compared to Representative Super Hybrid Rice Varieties in Subtropical Environments

Understanding the yield attributes of the popular rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids can provide useful information for developing new hybrid rice varieties. Field experiments were conducted at two subtropical sites (Hengyang and Xingyi) in two years (2021 and 2022) to compare grain yield and yield attributes of three currently popular hybrid rice varieties (Jingliangyouhuazhan, Jingliangyou 534, and Longliangyouhuazhan) with three representative super hybrid rice varieties (Y-liangyou 1, Y-liangyou 2, and Y-liangyou 900). No significant differences in grain yield were observed between the group of popular hybrids and the group of super hybrids at Hengyang and Xingyi in 2021 or at Xingyi in 2022, but at Hengyang in 2022, the group of popular hybrids produced a 15% higher grain yield. The grain yield at Hengyang in 2022 was lower than that at Hengyang and Xingyi in 2021 and at Xingyi in 2022. At Hengyang in 2022, the group of popular hybrids had 9–15% higher panicles per m2, spikelet filling percentage, and harvest index but similar spikelets per panicle and total biomass production and 12% lower grain weight compared to the group of super hybrids. Correlation plot analysis showed that grain yield was significantly related to panicles per m2 but not other yield attributes across six varieties at Hengyang in 2022. These results indicated that the currently popular hybrid rice varieties had higher yield performance than the representative super hybrid rice varieties under the condition of relatively lower productivity, and the key factor for this higher yield performance in the popular hybrids was the higher panicles per m2. This finding highlights that more attention should focus on the yield performance under medium- and low-productivity conditions in hybrid rice breeding programs, and an effective breeding strategy is to select the varieties with high panicle numbers.

Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) improves the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions by promoting starch accumulation and regulating hormone levels under high planting density

BackgroundHigher planting densities typically cause a decline in grain weight, limiting the potential for high maize yield. Additionally, variations in grain filling occur at different positions within the maize ear. Abscisic acid (ABA) is important for grain filling and regulates grain weight. However, the effects of exogenous ABA on the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions under high planting density are poorly understood. In this study, two summer maize hybrids (DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958)) commonly grown in China were used to examine the effects of ABA application during the flowering stage on grain filling properties, starch accumulation, starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities, and hormone levels of maize grain (including inferior grain (IG) and superior grain (SG)) under high planting density.ResultsOur results showed that exogenous ABA significantly increased maize yield, primarily owing to a higher grain weight resulting from an accelerated grain filling rate relative to the control. There was no significant difference in yield between DH605 and ZD958 in the control and ABA treatments. Moreover, applying ABA promoted starch accumulation by raising the activities of sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, granule-bound starch synthases, soluble starch synthase, and starch branching enzyme in grains. It also increased the levels of zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, and ABA and decreased the level of gibberellin in grains, resulting in more efficient grain filling. Notably, IG exhibited a less efficient filling process compared to SG, probably due to lower starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities and an imbalance in hormone contents. Nevertheless, IG displayed greater sensitivity to exogenous ABA than SG, suggesting that appropriate cultural measures to improve IG filling may be a viable strategy to further increase maize yield.ConclusionsAccording to our results, spraying exogenous ABA could effectively improve grain filling properties, accelerate starch accumulation by increasing relevant enzyme activities, and regulate hormone levels in grains, resulting in higher grain weight and yield of maize under high planting density. Our findings offer more evidence for using exogenous hormones to improve maize yield under high planting density.

Use of spent mushroom substrate for cherry tomato seedlings; a potential alternative to peat in horticulture

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the potential of using spent white button mushroom substrate (SMS) as replacement for peat for producing cherry tomato seedlings, considering different proportions of fresh and composted SMS. Phase I focused on testing the performance of seedlings raised in different growing media mixes and Phase II on the assessment of the subsequent yields of the tomatoes raised in selected treatments. Results showed that the use of fresh SMS as a replacement for the peat-based control substrate was limited to 20% (% w/v), due to its high salinity. However, the control substrate could be replaced completely with composted SMS (Composted SMS 100) without any significant differences in the growth of the seedlings. Based on the most promising results from Phase I, yields of plants raised in composted SMS (Composted SMS 40 and 100), fresh SMS (Fresh SMS 20), and peat-based control were compared. There were no significant differences in the total yield (mass) between the treatments, but the average total number of fruits of the five harvest dates was higher in the Composted SMS 100 and in the control than in the other treatments. Notably, Composted SMS 100 and control produced greater mass of tomatoes at the final harvest. In conclusion, SMS provided an effective alternative for production of cherry tomato seedlings, with composting of the SMS before use being a crucial step. It was recommended that no more than 20% fresh SMS should be used to replace peat to ensure optimal growth of cherry tomato seedlings.