Sorghum Water Research Articles

Mitigation of drought stress in Zea mays L. through plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria assisted by foliar sorghum water extract

Mitigation of drought stress in Zea mays L. through plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria assisted by foliar sorghum water extract

Mitigation of Salinity Stress and Lead Toxicity in Maize by Exogenous Application of the Sorghum Water Extract.

The increased concentration of lead (Pb) in soils is a serious threat to human beings and plants all over the world. Salinity stress is also a major issue across the globe, which limits crop productivity. The use of allelochemicals has become an effective strategy to mitigate the toxic effects of abiotic stresses. Sorghum is an important crop grown across the globe, and it also possesses an appreciably allelopathic potential. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the impacts of the sorghum water extract (SWE) on improving maize growth under Pb and salinity stress. The experiment included different treatments; control, SWE (3%), and different levels of Pb and salinity stress; T1: control, T2: 50 mM NaCl, T3: 100 mM NaCl, T4: 250 μM Pb, and T5: 500 μM Pb. Lead and salinity stress reduced the maize growth by the genesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by higher production of malondialdehyde (MDA: 39.1 and 32.28%) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2: 20.62 and 17.81%). Spraying plants with SWE improved the maize growth by increasing antioxidant activities (ascorbate peroxidase: APX, catalase: CAT, peroxidase: POD and superoxide dismutase: SOD), photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents (RWC), osmolyte accumulation (proline, total soluble proteins: TSP, free amino acids: FAA), potassium accumulation, and decreasing MDA, H2O2, sodium, chloride, and Pb accumulation. In conclusion, the application of SWE mitigates adverse impacts of Pb and salinity stresses by improving chlorophyll synthesis and osmolyte accumulation, activating the antioxidant defense system, and preventing the entry of toxic ions.

Potential of natural plant extracts as biostimulants to alleviate salt stress-induced adverse effects on wheat

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the role of different plant extracts in alleviating salt stress-induced adverse effects on wheat plants. Two potential wheat cultivars, Galaxy-2013 and Faisalabad-2008, were sown in November 2020 in saline soil with soil electrical conductivity of 9.8 dS m-1. At the booting and anthesis stages, the wheat plants were exogenously sprayed with three different types of plant extracts, i.e., moringa leaf extract (MLE, 3%), sorghum water extract (SWE, 2%), and brassica water extract (BWE, 2.5%). The MLE spray at the booting and anthesis stages resulted in a maximal increase in 1000-grain weight (34-43%), grain yield (25-29%), biological yield (39-40%) and harvest index (23-24%) of wheat over the control. However, exogenous application of all three plant extracts in both wheat cultivars increased plant height (44-64%), spike length (99-100%), number of spikelets (40-42%), and grains per spike (32-64%), as compared to the untreated plants grown under saline conditions. Similarly, chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were higher in the MLE-treated plants than those of the plants treated with the other extracts. Overall, MLE at the rate of 3% had the most significant growth promoting effect on both wheat cultivars under saline conditions. Cultivar Faisalabad-2008 fed with different plant extracts was superior to Galaxy-2013 in terms of its performance in growth and physiological attributes under field saline stress.

Foliar-Applied Sorghum Water Extract Improves the Productivity of Wheat Planted at Varying Dates

Among the cereals, wheat is a key crop fulfilling the food demand of millions of masses around the globe. Late sowing in wheat is the most yield-limiting factor causing 35% yield losses. One approach to compensate for yield losses is boosting crop growth by the application of growth regulators. We checked the role of sorghum water extract that can act as plant-based growth regulators in wheat planted at various dates to cover a wide sowing window. A trial under controlled condition was conducted at the glass house facility of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan during 2021-2022. Wheat cultivar Akbar 2019 was sown with an interval of 7 days starting from October 29 to December 03. A pre-determined level of sorghum water extract at 3% concentration was foliar-applied at 30 days after sowing. For comparison, un-treated pots were applied with water spray. Collected data revealed that significantly higher grain yield was obtained from the pot that were sown on November 19 and treated with sorghum water extract followed by same sowing date but was untreated. Data further explained that grain yield and other yield related traits significantly reduced in late planted wheat when compared with timely plantation of wheat. Results concluded that sorghum water extract is a potential plant regulator and its foliar application can enhance the yield of timely as well late planted wheat but for getting maximum yield foliar application should done at timely plantation of wheat at November 19.

Integration of Sunflower and Sorghum Water Extracts Applied Alone or in Combination With Reduced Doses of Chevalier for Weed Control in Wheat

Field trial was conducted with the aim of utilizing extract of allelopathic crop to reduce the use of synthetic herbicides in wheat fields. Sorghum extract at 12 L /ha, sunflower extract at 12 L /ha, combination of sorghum and sunflower extracts at 12 L /ha and chevalier at 25, 50 and 100% of recommended dose were applied alone or in combination with each other. Weed free and weedy check treatments were included for comparison. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the recommended dose of chevalier treatment recorded lowest means of weed density 15.7, 23.7, 25.3 and 27.9 weeds m-2and weeds dry weight 13.4, 16.4, 23.3 and 29.2 g m-2 and gave highest percentage of weed control 71.4, 67.4, 64.3 and 63.0% after 60, 75, 95 and 115 days of planting respectively, without significant difference on the sorghum water extract + sunflower water extract at 12L/ha +50% of treatment. Also, the recommended dose of chevalier treatment had highest mean of number of spikes 368.6 spike m-2, grain yield 5.75 ton ha-1, biological yield 17.70 ton ha-1 and harvest index 32.55% without significant difference in the sorghum water + sunflower water extracts at 12L/ha +50% of treatment in the grain yield and biological yield also without significant difference on the sorghum water extract + sunflower water extract at 12 L/ha) +33% of recommended chevalier treatment in the grain yield and biological yield. We can conclude that the allelopathic effects of sorghum and sunflower extracts with chevalier herbicide at half dose gave positive results in weeds control while improving the grain yield of wheat without a significant difference with the spraying of the chevalier herbicide at full dose.These results were a clear indication that the presence of the extracts had a synergistic or cumulative additive role with the low doses of chevalier herbicide that contributed to raising its efficacy in weeds control.

Перспективні енергетичні культури на осушуваних торфовищах Лісостепу та їх водоспоживання в умовах зміни клімату

Goal. To determine the productivity of energy plantations, to investigate the parameters of water consumption of the main bioenergy crops on the drained organogenic soils of the Forest Steppe of Ukraine in modern conditions of climate change. Methods. Experimental on the basis of lysimeter studies and comparative-analytical, carried out on experimental sites of reclamation systems, mathematical modeling and processing of experimental data. The results. It was found that the maximum water consumption characteristic of the tristem willow in August is 8.02 thousand m3/ha, and this fact confirms the significant drying effect of tree crops. The lowest water consumption during the period of active vegetation was recorded in giant miscanthus — 2.53 thousand m3/ha. The total water consumption of Jerusalem artichoke from May to October was 18,100 m3/ha, corn — 12, sorghum — 10,800 m3/ha. It was found that lowering the groundwater level from 80 to 100 cm had little effect on the water consumption of Jerusalem artichoke, willow and miscanthus. The difference for these cultures does not exceed 1–3%. However, corn water consumption decreased by 112 L/kg dry matter, or 17%, and sorghum water consumption decreased by 205 L/kg, or 30% overall. In case of creation of large-scale bioenergy plantations, the area of which is measured in hundreds of hectares, it is necessary to modernize and repair the drying and humidification system. Conclusions. Climatic changes had a positive effect on the productivity of corn and sweet sorghum, the yield of dry biomass of which increased by 0.8 and 3.4 t/ha on average over three years, respectively, and negatively on the productivity of willow, it fell by 1.4 t/ha ; the productivity of miscanthus and Jerusalem artichoke did not change significantly. Therefore, when growing large plantations of energy crops, it is necessary to take into account the water regime of the land used: in fields with limited water resources, grow such annual crops as sorghum and corn, on lands with sufficient moisture — miscanthus, Jerusalem artichoke, in overmoistened places — willow plantations.

3D characterization of crop water use and the rooting system in field agronomic research

Most field crop phenotyping research has focused on the above-ground parts of crops, ignoring a “hidden half”: the rooting system and its activity. Here we propose and test a new approach to produce 3D characterizations of crop water use and root activity in large field genotype (G) by environment (E) by management (M) experimentation, using electromagnetic induction (EMI) instrument coupled with a quasi-2D inversion algorithm, and crop canopy sensing technologies. A root activity factor (R) was calculated as a function of crop water use, soil water availability, and an indicator of crop demand. We ask i) can this approach provide accurate 3D characterizations of sorghum water use and root activity?, and (ii) does the approach capture complex GxExM dynamics?. This study was conducted based on an on-farm field experiment consisting of the factorial combination of six commercial sorghum genotypes (G), three times of sowing, two levels of irrigation (E), four plant densities (M), and three replications. Two EMI surveys ten days apart were collected using a DUALEM-21S sensor. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict 3D soil moisture (θv) using depth-specific true soil electrical conductivity (σ, mS m−1) estimated by the inversion algorithm. Crop water use between surveys was described as the difference of θv. A multispectral index derived from satellite imagery was used as a proxy for crop demand i.e., size of the crop canopy. Principal components analysis, linear mixed models, and recursive partitioning tree techniques and crop-eco-physiological principles were used to untangle complex GxExM interactions. Results indicate that 3D crop water use could be predicted with high accuracy (LCCC = 0.81) and low prediction error (RMSE = 0.03 cm3 cm−3). The calculated water use and the value of R were significantly affected by depth, crop growth stage, irrigation treatment, plant density, and their interactions. At flowering, roots were most active at 0–1.3 m under irrigation, and deeper (0.5–1.5 m) under dryland treatment. The highest water use was for three genotypes (i.e., C, E and F) grown under irrigation and high plant densities (i.e., 9 and 12 pl m-2). The smallest water use was observed under dryland treatment, particularly for two genotypes (i.e., B and C) and high plant densities. For the crops at vegetative stages, the values of water use and R were highest in the top 0.5 m of soil depth. Larger water use was observed under dryland treatment and high plant densities, while the effects of genotypes were small (not significant). We conclude that the approach provides a rapid, accurate and cost-efficient option to phenotype crop root activity i.e., water use, in large field experimentation. We also argue that the improved understanding of the crop water use dynamics can help inform optimum combinations of genotypes and management options i.e., crop designs, across contrasting environments, and help untangle complex GxExM interactions.

Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Maize Seedlings by the Application of Vermicompost and Sorghum Water Extracts.

Abiotic stresses are important constraints limiting crop productivity worldwide. Salinity is one of the most devastating environmental factors restraining the production of crops. It is urgently needed to search for environmentally safe and sustainable approaches to mitigate the harmful effects of salinity on plants. Hence, applying vermicompost and low-dose aqueous extract of sorghum delivers a pragmatic solution to ameliorate the detrimental outcomes of salinity on maize seedlings (Zea mays L.). The experiment consisted of three factors, each at different levels, i.e., salinity (control, 6, and 12 dS m−1), vermicompost (control, 5, and 10%), and sorghum water extract (control, 1, and 2%). Higher salt stress negatively influenced the morpho-physiological traits of maize. Nonetheless, applying vermicompost and sorghum water extract at 10% and 2%, respectively, increased tolerance against salinity. The application of 2% sorghum water extract and 10% vermicompost significantly improved morphological characteristics, chlorophyll contents, activities of antioxidant enzymes, leaf and root K+/Na+ ratio, and K+ contents. It decreased Na+ concentration, H2O2, and malondialdehyde contents at higher salinity levels. It can be concluded that soil-applied vermicompost and foliar-applied sorghum water extract mitigates the adverse impacts of salinity by activating the antioxidant defense system, improving chlorophyll contents, and reducing the accumulation of Na+ under salinity.

Sorghum Allelopathy: Alternative Weed Management Strategy and Its Impact on Mung Bean Productivity and Soil Rhizosphere Properties.

Simple SummaryPlants are subjected to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses, which affect the rhizospheric attributes and limit agricultural crop productivity. To meet the food and energy demands of the future, several diverse approaches are used for achieving more stress-tolerant and climate-flexible crops for sustainable yields. Several organic and inorganic amendments are used to ameliorate these stresses. Crop-mediated modification (crop residues and allelopathic extracts) has great effects on weed management, improving rhizospheric attributes, and ultimately producing the best quality yield. Sorghum crop residues and their allelopathic extract can be used as a nutrient resource to enhance soil and crop productivity through their application. Sorghum-mediated crop modification will support the soil health and environmental sustainability, providing insight into the improvement of crop productivity. This study will help policymakers in modelling and enhancing sustainable crop production.The reduction of herbicide use and herbicide-resistant weeds through allelopathy can be a sustainable strategy to combat the concerns of environmental degradation. Allelopathic crop residues carry great potential both as weed suppressers and soil quality enhancers. The influence of sorghum crop residues and water extracts on the weed population, soil enzyme activities, the microbial community, and mung bean crop productivity was investigated in a two-year experiment at the Student Research Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The experimental treatments comprised two levels of sorghum water extract (10 and 20 L ha−1) and two residue application rates (4 and 6 t ha−1), and no sorghum water extract and residues were used as the control. The results indicated that the incorporation of sorghum water extract and residue resulted in significant changes in weed dynamics and the soil quality indices. Significant reduction in weed density (62%) and in the dry weight of weeds (65%) was observed in T5. After the harvest, better soil quality indices in terms of the microbial population (72–90%) and microbial activity (32–50%) were observed in the rhizosphere (0–15 cm) by the same treatment. After cropping, improved soil properties in terms of available potassium, available phosphorus soil organic matter, and total nitrogen were higher after the treatment of residue was incorporated, i.e., 52–65%, 29–45%, 62–84%, and 59–91%, respectively. In the case of soil enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase levels in the soil were 35–41% and 52–77% higher, respectively. However, residue incorporation at 6 t ha−1 had the greatest effect in improving the soil quality indices, mung bean productivity, and reduction of weed density. In conclusion, the incorporation of 6 t ha−1 sorghum residues may be opted to improve soil quality indices, suppress weeds, harvest a better seed yield (37%), and achieve higher profitability (306 $ ha−1) by weed suppression, yield, and rhizospheric properties of spring-planted mung beans. This strategy can provide a probable substitute for instigating sustainable weed control and significant improvement of soil properties in the mung bean crop, which can be a part of eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture.

BIOASSAY OF ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF BERMUDAGRASS AND SORGHUM ON GERMINATION AND RELATED TRAITS OF WEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH RICE

With growing concern towards human health and ecological concerns related to prolonged use of herbicides, research is undergoing globally for alternate weed managing methods. Allelopathy is one of the very efficient methods for management of weeds. Experiment was conducted during 2016 & repeated in 2017 under laboratory conditions in Kharif (summer) season using completely randomized design for allelopathic potential assessment of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) with 03 replicates. The treatments under study comprised: control (check), bermudagrass & sorghum root & shoot powders @ 15 and 30 g kg-1 soil as well as water extracts @ 15 and 30 ml kg-1 soil. It is obvious from the present data that allelopathic plants powders & water extracts caused significant adverse effects on tested weeds i.e. Sawari (Echinochloa colonum L.), Saon (Echinochloaa crusgalli L.) and Kabah (Cyperus rotundus L.). Bermuda grass and sorghum water extracts exhibited strong allelopathic efficacy on germination, roots & shoots length, as well as fresh & dry biological weight of weeds included under study. It is further argued that greater inhibitory effects on weeds were caused by extracts prepared from bermudagrass and sorghum in comparison with their powders. Hence, it is evident from the results that bermudagrass & sorghum materials possess phytotoxic potential which can suppress growth of target plant. This allelopathic herbage could be utilized by soil incorporation or extract for weed management in rice as environment friendly strategy.

Application of natural and synthetic growth promoters improves the productivity and quality of quinoa crop through enhanced photosynthetic and antioxidant activities

Modern agriculture is primarily concerned with enhanced productivity of field crops linked with maximum resources use efficiency to feed the increasing population of the world. Exogenous application of biostimulants is considered a sustainable and ecofriendly approach to improve the growth and productivity of agronomic and horticultural field crops. The present study was carried out to explore the comparative growth enhancing potential of plant biostimulants (moringa leaf extract at 3% and sorghum water extract at 3%) and synthetic growth promoters (ascorbic acid at 500 μM and hydrogen peroxide at 100 μM) on growth, productivity and quality of quinoa crop (cultivar UAF-Q7) because it has gained significant popularity among agricultural scientists and farmers throughout the world due to its high nutritional profile. A field experiment was carried out at the Research Area of Directorate of Farms, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during quinoa cultivation season of 2016–2017 and repeated during next year (2017–2018). All the foliar treatments enhanced the physiological, biochemical, quality, growth and yield attributes of quinoa as compared to control group. However, maximum improvement was observed in chlorophyll a and b contents, photosynthesis and respiration rates, and water use efficiency by moringa leaf extract (MLE) application. MLE application was also found more responsive regarding the improvement in activities of peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, phenolics and glycine betaine as compared to other treatments. Mineral elements i.e. K, Ca and N in root as well as in shoot were found the highest in response to MLE application. Similarly, growth (plant fresh and dry biomass, plant length and grain yield) and grain quality parameters (protein, K and Ca) were also significantly enhanced. Application of MLE was found to be a viable approach to improve the growth and quality of produce as compared to synthetic compounds.

Alleviation of temperature stress in maize by integration of foliar applied growth promoting substances and sowing dates.

Temperature is a key factor influencing plant growth and productivity, but its sudden rise can cause severe consequences on crop performances. Early sowing and application of growth promoting agents as a foliar spray can be a sustainable approach to cope with high temperature stress at grain filling stage of cereal crops. Therefore, a test was designed to explore the potential of different growth helping agents including sorghum water extract (SWE, 10 ml L-1), moringa leaf extract (MLE, 3%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 2 μM), salicylic acid (SA, 50 mg L-1) and ascorbic acid (ASA, 50 mg L-1) as foliar agents at different sowing dates (early and optimum) to cope with temperature stress in maize. The results stated that foliar application of growth promoting substances successfully persuaded high temperature tolerance at reproductive phase of maize in early and optimum sowings when compared to control. However, SWE + ASA, MLE + H2O2 and SWE + ASA + SA + H2O2 were the best combinations for improving growth, development, and physiological variables under both sowing dates even under suboptimal temperature. All foliar applications significantly increased maize grain and biological yields while maximum was observed in SWE + ASA followed by SWE + ASA + SA + H2O2 or MLE + H2O2 that were statistically at par with ASA + SA + H2O2 but plants without spray or distilled water application did not improve grain and biological yields. Overall, the foliar applications of growth promoting substances enable the plant to enhance its growth, development, morphology, yield and biochemical variables.

Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract improves growth, biochemical attributes, and productivity of late-sown quinoa.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has gained significant popularity among agricultural scientists and farmers throughout the world due to its high nutritive value. It is cultivated under a range of soil and climatic conditions; however, late sowing adversely affects its productivity and yield due to shorter growth period. Inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants are promising for improving growth, development, and yield of field crops under stressful environments. Field experiments were conducted during crop cultivation seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18, to explore the role of inorganic (hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid) and organic [moringa leaf extract (MLE) and sorghum water extract (sorgaab)] phyto-stimulants in improving growth and productivity of quinoa (cultivar UAF-Q7). Hydrogen peroxide at 100 μM, ascorbic acid at 500 μM, MLE at 3% and sorgaab at 3% were exogenously applied at anthesis stage of quinoa cultivated under normal (November 21st and 19th during 2016 and 2017) and late-sown (December 26th and 25th during 2016 and 2017) conditions. Application of inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants significantly improved biochemical, physiological, growth and yield attributes of quinoa under late sown conditions. The highest improvement in these traits was recorded for MLE. Application of MLE resulted in higher chlorophyll a and b contents, stomatal conductance, and sub-stomatal concentration of CO2 under normal and late-sowing. The highest improvement in soluble phenolics, anthocyanins, free amino acids and proline, and mineral elements in roots, shoot and grains were observed for MLE application. Growth attributes, including plant height, plant fresh weight and panicle length were significantly improved with MLE application as compared to the rest of the treatments. The highest 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant were noted for MLE application under normal and late-sowing. These findings depict that MLE has extensive crop growth promoting potential through improving physiological and biochemical activities. Hence, MLE can be applied to improve growth and productivity of quinoa under normal and late-sown conditions.

Seed Priming with Sorghum Water Extract Improves the Performance of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz.) under Salt Stress.

Seed priming with sorghum water extract (SWE) enhances crop tolerance to salinity stress; however, the application of SWE under salinity for camelina crop has not been documented so far. This study evaluated the potential role of seed priming with SWE in improving salt stress tolerance in camelina. Primed (with 5% SWE and distilled water-hydropriming) and nonprimed seeds were sown under control (no salt) and salt stress (10 dS m−1) conditions. Salinity reduced camelina’s emergence and growth, while seed priming with SWE improved growth under control and stress conditions. Under salt stress, seed priming with SWE enhanced emergence percentage (96.98%), increased root length (82%), shoot length (32%), root dry weight (75%), shoot dry weight (33%), α-amylase activity (66.43%), chlorophyll content (60–92%), antioxidant enzymes activity (38–171%) and shoot K+ ion (60%) compared with nontreated plants. Similarly, under stress conditions, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and shoot Na+ ion were reduced by 60, 31, and 40% by seed priming with SWE, respectively, over the nonprimed seeds. Therefore, seed priming with SWE may be used to enhance the tolerance against salt stress in camelina.

Sorghum Water Extract Application Mediates Antioxidant Defense and Confers Drought Stress Tolerance in Wheat

Drought is the most threatening abiotic constraint, affecting more than 43% of the cropped area around the globe. The use of allelopathic hormesis offers a pragmatic solution for mitigating the negative effects of drought on field crops. The present study evaluated the potential of sorghum water extract in enhancing drought tolerance in wheat and examined the possible underlying mechanisms. The experiment comprised of three factors viz. drought with three levels (100%, 60% and 30% field capacity; FC), sorghum water extracts with eight levels (control, water spray, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% of sorghum water extract) and two wheat cultivars Ihsan-2016 (drought tolerant) and Galaxy-2013 (drought-sensitive). Drought stress, particularly at 30% FC, profoundly decreased the morpho-physiological attributes of both wheat cultivars; nevertheless, the application of sorghum water extract at 2.0% effectively enhanced the tolerance against drought stress. Compared with control, application of 2.0% sorghum water extract increased the morphological attributes such as shoot and root length as well as fresh and dry weight of both wheat cultivars in the range of 3–146% under 30% field capacity. In addition, 2.0% sorghum water extract triggered (9–165%) the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, decreased the hydrogen peroxide contents (42–48%), and enhanced the contents of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid (6–151%) as compared to control in both wheat cultivars under 30% field capacity suggesting that these measures helped to reduce the drought-induced oxidative stress. Vigorous growth and higher drought tolerance derived from sorghum water extract was related to improved chlorophyll contents and a better antioxidant defense system in wheat.

Impact of natural and synthetic growth enhancers on the productivity and yield of quinoa (chenopodium quinoa willd.) cultivated under normal and late sown circumstances

AbstractQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has attracted attention in agricultural community as alternative crop in harsh climatic regions due to its high tolerance level under biotic and abiotic conditions. Natural and synthetic growth enhancers are supposed to boost up the growth, development and economical yield of field crops under normal and unfavourable growing conditions. Two successive field experiments were conducted to explore the impact of moringa leaf extract (MLE), sorghum water extract (sorgaab), hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid on growth and grain quality of quinoa cultivated under normal and late sown conditions. MLE at 3%, sorgaab at 3%, hydrogen peroxide at 100 µM and ascorbic acid at 500 µM were applied at anthesis stage of crop cultivated during growing seasons of 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Seeds of quinoa genotype UAF‐Q7 were sown at Research Area of Directorate of Farms, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad‐Pakistan. All the foliar treatments significantly improved the physiological and growth attributes. Maximum improvement in synthesis of chlorophyll (29% and 12%) and carotenoids contents (42% and 28%) and net rate of photosynthesis (58% and 70%) and respiration (26% and 14%) was recorded by MLE application over control (no spray) under normal and late sowing. Mineral elements, antioxidants activities and seed protein contents were also improved by all foliar treatments but mainly by MLE application. MLE application produced highest grain (47%) and straw (52%) yields under normal and late sown environments. Application of MLE is considered good biostimulant to improve the productivity and yield of quinoa crop cultivated under normal and even in late sown circumstances.

Sorghum germination inhibition using its water extract cultivated in swampland with different irrigation patterns

One of the allelopathic uses is the application of sorghum water extract for weed control. Drought-shaped abiotic stress plays an important role in the plant contribution of allelopathy. This study aimed to examine the inhibition of sorghum water extracts grown in swampland with different irrigation patterns. The study employed a randomized complete block designed with two factors. The first factor was irrigation patterns, i.e., four weeks of dry and saturated water, alternating weekly saturated and dry water for four weeks, and alternating weekly dry and saturated water for four weeks. The second factor was water extract concentration, consisting of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5 % and 10%. Dry Ultisol was assigned as a control treatment. The bioassay procedure was set up with 25 sorghum seeds per petri dish. Each petri dish was solved and incubated for four days with a 10 ml sorghum water extract from each of the above treatments. The results showed the highest germination inhibition levels were in the interaction between the dry patterns (dry swampland and dry Ultisol) at 7.5% of water extraction. Sorghum extract, grown in dry swampland, is a potential for good bioherbicide production.

Evaluating the integrative response of moringa leaf extract with synthetic growth promoting substances in maize under early spring conditions

The performance of spring maize is severely hampered by high temperature at reproductive phase, causing marked reduction in grain yield. Early sowing of spring maize can be a good adaptive approach however, due to low temperature causes adverse effect on germinating seeds and young seedlings, thus being detrimental to early planting. Exogenous application of natural and synthetic growth promoting substances may induce tolerance against temperature constraints. For this purpose, field experiment was conducted to explore the potential of moringa leaf extract (MLE, 3%), sorghum water extract (SWE, 10 ml L − 1), ascorbic acid (ASA, 50 mg L − 1), salicylic acid (SA, 50 mg L − 1) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 2 µM) as priming agents on maize hybrid under early and optimum sowing dates. The performance of early planted maize crop was severely influenced by low temperature in comparison to optimum sown crop nevertheless exogenous application of growth promoting substances proved effective in improving stand establishment, phenotypic behavior, key physiological and biochemical attributes of maize crop. Low temperature persuaded inhibition in growth of maize was mainly ameliorated by seed priming with MLE + H2O2 and SWE + ASA. It can be concluded that application of growth promoting substances as priming agents proved to be the most successful strategy in conferring better thermotolerance at early sowing through improved antioxidant defense system and physiological mechanism of spring maize. Better crop performance with combined application of natural and synthetic growth enhancers was linked to improvement in crop stand establishment, better growth and development, dry matter partitioning and yield attributes.

Using sorghum to suppress weeds in autumn planted maize

Weeds reduce the yield of maize (Zea mays L.) by utilizing the available resources such as water, nutrient and space. The phenomenon of allelopathy offers pragmatic option to suppress weeds in cereals including maize. This study was conducted to evaluate the weed suppression potential of sorghum in maize sown on beds or flat fields in post-sorghum and fallow plots. Sorghum-based weed management treatments included: i) control, ii) sorghum mulch (SM) at 8 t ha−1, iii) sorghum water extract (SWE) at 18 L ha−1, and iv) SM + SWE. The post-sorghum planted maize had significantly lower density (23.1%) and biomass (23.6%) of weeds than post-fallow planted maize. Weed density and dry biomass was 17.2% and 18.1% less in bed-sown maize than the flat-sown maize, respectively. Application of sorghum based treatments significantly reduced weed infestation in both maize cropping systems, however, combined application of SM and SWE in post sorghum bed-sown maize was the most effective treatment. Bed-sown maize planted in post-sorghum plots produced higher grain yield than post-fallow bed-sown maize or post-sorghum/post-fallow flat-sown maize. The treatment SM + SWE produced the taller plants and had more number of grains per cob, higher seed weight, grain and biological yields, and harvest index in post sorghum bed-sown wheat than other sorghum based treatments. In conclusion, the combined application of SM + SWE in bed-sown maize in post-sorghum fields provided fair control of weeds and increased maize grain yield.

Crescimento e eficiência do uso da água do sorgo sob distintos regimes hídricos contínuos.

A avaliação do crescimento permite melhorar a compreensão da resposta da planta as condições de estresse. Objetivou-se avaliar a resposta do crescimento, acúmulo de biomassa e da eficiência do uso da água do sorgo a diferentes regimes hídricos continuados com água salina. O experimento foi conduzido em Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brasil. O sorgo, cv. Sudão IPA 4202, foi semeado em vasos em um viveiro. As plantas foram dispostas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso submetidas a quatro regimes hídricos durante todo o ciclo com base na evapotranspiração de referência (ET0) (125%, 100%, 75% e 50%.ET0), com 32 repetições. Ao longo do tempo foram coletados dados de biometria, biomassa de forragem e consumo de água da cultura. A planta foi fracionada e seus componentes foram mensurados. Os índices morfofisiológicos foram obtidos. Não houve efeito de regime hídrico na maioria das variáveis de crescimento, acúmulo e partição de matéria seca. A eficiência do uso da água foi mantida, mesmo com a redução no consumo de água pela cultura. As mudanças no aparecimento e na senescência foliar não alteraram os índices morfofisiológicos, sugerindo manutenção da taxa fotossintética da cultura nas distintas disponibilidades de água. Conclui-se que, o sorgo, cv. Sudão IPA 4202, possui alta adaptação a ambientes de cultivo com ampla variação de regime hídrico, recomendando-se lâmina de 50%.ET0.